Cathie Brutcher
My young brother, John Joseph Crawford, was born in the mid 50’s to Thomas Crawford, Sr. & Wanda Crawford. He grew up in East Memphis and graduated in the first graduation class from Ridgeway High School. Johnny (we siblings called him) was one of the best kids you could know growing up. He was full of life, energy and got into the music scene in his early years. He played with numerous bands and excelled in the bass guitar, rhythm guitar and was an excellent drummer too. He had many, many friends who loved him dearly and I can assure you his two sisters, Linda, Cathie & I loved him with all our hearts. He was a good motorcycle mechanic and he worked as a driller for well over 35 years and his final job when he got sick was with the Corp of Engineers here in the Memphis office. He went on many adventures during his motorcycle days, traveling out west and everywhere in between. He enjoyed his sea cruises, trips to Mexico and trips to many places where he and I with other bandmates ventured to. He was a wonderful brother and his love for God, his wife and son, his mom and dad, his siblings, his country and his church were the heart and soul of his joyful and short life. The entire family has hundreds of stories we could share, but I would have to publish a book about those chapters of his life. I know he’s likely looking down on me and saying “That’s enough, Tommy, go easy now.” He was very humble. Well, I’ll end these memories with, if you knew Johnny you knew he was the real deal and was a very positive person who got along with everyone.
Thank you kindly and God bless you all who knew and loved my little brother Johnny!
Respectfully,
Tommy Crawford, Jr.