Robert Rex Crawford, 78, of Lamesa, Texas, formerly of Iberia, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, October 8, 2014. Bob was born March 2, 1936, in Griggsville, Illinois, to Harry Rex and Catherine Anne (Robinson) Crawford. The oldest son of four siblings, Robert grew up in Griggsville with his brothers, Richard and Edward, and his sister, Sally. Bob joined the US Marines in 1954. Transferring to the US Army in 1973, he completed 38 years of service to his country and retired from military duty in 1992. During his storied military career, 1st Sergeant Crawford served as a Cryptographer for Force Recon and as a Tank Commander in the Army. Robert honorably served multiple tours in Vietnam in the Walking Dead and received many awards and accolades including the Bronze Star. Reflecting his humble nature, Bob refused three Purple Heart citations reflecting that he was "just doing his duty". After retiring from Bohn Aluminum in Beardstown, Illinois, Robert relocated to Iberia, Missouri where he served the community as Mayor for 9 years.

Robert held numerous memberships including the Knights of Columbus, the Disabled American Veterans Association, the Marine Corps League, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion.

He was married to Lorna Mae Gibbs on January 11, 1958. Robert shared his love and devotion to their children, Bobby Crawford of Jacksonville, Illinois; Paul Crawford of Moberly, Missouri; Tom and Dorrie Crawford of Clark, Missouri; Joe Crawford of Fulton, Missouri; John and Shawna Crawford of Holt Summit, Missouri; Clairesa and Doug Morris of Lamesa, Texas; and Carrie Crawford and Greg Marshall of Holt Summit, Missouri; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 9 - 11 a.m. on Monday, October 20, 2014 with the Mass of Christian Burial following at 11:00 a.m., all in the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, St. Anthony, with the Rev. Joby Thomas celebrating.

Interment with full military honors will be in the Iberia Cemetery, Iberia, under the direction of the Vienna Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes.

Memorials are suggested to the Wounded Warriors or the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews with envelopes available at the Church or the Vienna Office of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes.