Geraldine Irene Crawford

Gerry Crawford passed away peacefully on May 7, at the age of 94. Her loving husband of 75 years, Doug Crawford, and other family were by her side.

She was born March 13, 1924, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Theodore and Ada West. From an early age, she was raised by a single mother and grandmother, Marge Declue.

Her mother and grandmother owned and operated a café in East St. Louis. Pride was taken in welcoming persons of all races and ethnicity to their counter, which was then a rarity in a southern state. At the age of nine, Gerry won a regional Major Bowes Original Amateur Hour talent contest. This provided opportunity to perform and tour on the Orpheum Circuit. With that tour, her mother worked as the personal seamstress to Ginger Rogers. As a Shirley Temple look-alike, Gerry would dance and sing with Buddy Epsen, promoting such movies as Captain January. She also appeared as a performer in the Our Gang Comedies. With an appearance at the Walla Walla Liberty Theater, the family fell in love with the valley. Upon return to St. Louis, they packed-up and, along with her Uncle Art Wiley, the family moved to Walla Walla.

Gerry attended Wa-Hi. While attending Washington State College, she joined a chorale group and became a national collegiate champion soloist. Eventually, she graduated with a degree in elementary education from Lewis and Clark Normal. She met her future husband, Doug (himself a talented vocalist), at a local pool party in the summer of 1941. They were married January 3, 1943, just prior to his shipping-out to combat in the Burma-China-India Theater and Okinawa--as a Sergeant with the Army Signal Corp. During WWII, Gerry drove truck for the Department of Defense and McCaw Army Hospital.

Gerry continued her love for entertainment, attending movies or live theater with her children on a regular basis. She specialized in supporting her family. In particular, she enjoyed following the athletic accomplishments of both her husband and two eldest boys (Steve and Ken), as well as the debate and theater successes of her youngest son, Jim. Professionally, she worked as the Business Office Manager for the Walla Walla Public Schools and, later, the Reynolds School District in the Portland area. Gerry and Doug retired in Walla Walla, where they enjoyed fishing and camping. Together, they have been big fans of the Seattle Mariners baseball and Gonzaga Bulldog basketball teams.

Gerry is survived by husband, Doug Crawford; and sons, Col. Steve Crawford, Dr. Ken Crawford, Jim ‘JW’ Crawford, and their respective spouses of Laura Crawford, Dr. Susan Crawford, and Patty Crawford. She had four grandchildren, Scott Crawford, Shane Crawford, Kate Crawford, and Gwen Crawford.

Gerry’s life was well-lived. The world is a better place for her having been here. She will be missed.

No memorial service is scheduled at this time.

Remembrances may be made to the Blue Mountain Humane Society through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder Walla Walla, WA.