Gary Leon Crawford

Gary Leon Crawford, 89, of Middletown, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. He was born on January 15, 1937 to the late Alton and Nellie (Miller) Crawford. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Eleanor (Ewing) Crawford.

A proud Retired Air Force Veteran Gary was a Chief Master Sargent who served in Grenada and the Desert Storm. Gary was a 1954 graduate of McClure High School, and attended a one room schoolhouse in Derry Township, Mifflin County. All four years of high school he played baseball. He attended the Black Oak Ridge Church as a child in Snyder County. After high school he started his 37-year career in the Air Force. This included Sampson Air Force Base in New York, Francis E. Warren in Wyoming, Loan in France, Bunker Hill in Indiana, Langley in Virginia, and 193rd Special Operations Group in Middletown. During his military career he earned several awards, some of which included, Air Force Commendation Medal, Pennsylvania Commendation, overseas tour, armed forces expeditionary, South Asia Service-Desert Storm, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Medal of Commendation, among many others.

In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing at Lake Erie, he enjoyed his cabin “Wabi-kon” Huntingdon County, PA and spending time at his son’s property in Snyder County. He was a member of the Newport Owls, American Legion Post 594, VFW 1620, Middletown Elks, 193 SOW association, National Sojourners Chapter 76, York Camp of Heroes of 76, Swatara beagle club, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Price Edwin-Spring Creek Lodge 486, Rescue Fireman’s Home association, Valley of Harrisburg 32-degree, Zembo Shrine Usher’s unit.

Gary is survived by his children, Danny Crawford and wife Judy of Middletown, Randy Crawford and wife Susan of Hummelstown, Ricky Crawford of Elizabethtown, Andy Crawford of Middletown, and Mickey Crawford and wife Brenda of Middletown; grandchildren, Julie, Danny, Tara, Trevor, Jacqueline, Nathan, Jason, Ashley, Tiffany, and Mitchell; 15 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; siblings, Gene Crawford of Mechanicsburg, Gerald Crawford of Marysville, and James Crawford of Arizona; and siblings-in-law, Larry Ewing, and Bonnie Hack. He is predeceased by his sister-in-law, Beverly Ewing and grandson, Bradley.

A funeral service with Masonic Honors will be held on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 11 am at Rothermel-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 25 W. Pine St., Palmyra, PA 17078. A time of viewing will be held from 10 am until the start of the service. Burial with full military honors will be held on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 10 am at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.FinkenbinderFamily.com