JAMES R. CRAWFORD

05/01/1963 - 05/27/2022

It is with great sadness that the Crawford/Luber family announces that James R. Crawford lost his decadeslong battle with depression and alcoholism in Salt Lake City, UT on May 27, 2022.

James was born on May 1, 1963 in Houston, Texas, son of Michael and Carolyn Crawford. He attended Memorial High School and graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

James was a gifted athlete who played varsity linebacker for the Memorial High School Mustang football team, which reached the Texas State 4A finals in 1979. He liked to ski and snowboard in Utah and Colorado. He loved to hunt, fish, and play cards, which he especially enjoyed with his late uncles, Dick and Joe Longnecker, and his aunt Marian (Mimi) Longnecker.

James received a PhD from the University of Missouri at Columbia in 1999. In between degrees, he taught middle school and coached wrestling. He was proud of his ability to connect with students, especially those that other educators considered difficult. After earning his doctorate, he began his career as an Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

While at UNLV, James specialized in alternative education. He supported many students in their quests to become educators and leaders. It is difficult to find a Clark County school administrator who was not influenced by James.

James is survived by his wife Jerri Crawford, son Cale Crawford (mother Pam Crawford), brother Joseph Crawford (Holda), sister Katherine Crawford Luber (M. Philip), nieces Sarah Crawford and Diana Luber, nephew Jacob Luber, extended family in California, Colorado, New Hampshire, and Texas. James leaves behind many lifelong friends across the country.

A celebration and remembrance of James’ life will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at the Briar Club, Houston, Texas at 2 o’clock in the afternoon. In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances can be made to the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.