Leonard Crawford

Leonard M. Crawford retired from this life on April 16, 2009. Leonard was born on October 22, 1940 at Granny Jessie Tyner's house in Ochelata, on their Cherokee allotment. His parents were Fred Melton and LaVonne Phyllis (Tyner) Crawford Kleier. Leonard's early years were spent in Ochelata with Granny Jessie and his mother. He received most of his education in Owasso schools and finished in Inola, Oklahoma. He received his degree in drafting from Tulsa University, while working at St. John's Hospital in Tulsa. Following graduation he worked at Flint Steel Company for 15 years. The next 15 years he worked from home through contracts from AT&T. He worked for John Shields Company in Tulsa from early in 1994 till present. Leonard worked with many people connected with John Shields that were his co-workers and friends from Flint. He made many new friends at Shields. Leonard was a member of the Nowata Indian Activities Committee and helped with the Nowata Pow Wow. He volunteered at many community events over the years. He enjoyed his family, and the annual gatherings held at Thanksgiving, Christmas, the 4th of July in Branson, and any other time they could get together. He especially loved working on projects with his children. Leonard married Verna (Stout) Chase on March 21, 1981 in Nowata, Oklahoma. They raised three of their five children, Katrina, William and Jimmy, in Nowata. They shared parenting of the two oldest sons, Tony and Gary, with their mother, Joline Vaughn, (Leonard's first wife and good friend to both he and Verna). Leonard has always been proud of his Cherokee history. His Great Grandfather Ruben Tyner came to Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears. He was named for his grandfather Leonard P. Tyner. He is survived by his wife, Verna, of the home; Tony and wife, Laura, of Tulsa and son's Evan and Jack, Gary Len and wife, Leesa of Terrellton, (Gary's children-Zandy (Tulsa), Leslie and Josh Evans and Jessie and Josh Fortney (Claremore), William and wife, Jane (children, Brandon, Desiree), Jimmy and wife, Tammy, (children, Jadyn, Jacob), all of Kansas City, MO., Katrina Crawford, (children, Kyle and Allison Jenkins) of Albuquerque, NM., son-in-law, Glenn Jenkins of Henderson, NV., sister, Linda and Bill Bailey (sons Ron and Heath), Claremore, brother, C. Gene and Mary Kleier, Henderson, NV., sisters -in-law-Mary Huddleston, Tomye and Frank Sawyer (Frank T., Katie, Mary Beth), brothers-in-law-Robert Paul Stout of Avant, OK, John Thomas and Brenda Malone, Collinsville, Cousin Jack and Nemia Steinmetz (Elva) of Stillwell, OK., five great grand children; numerous nieces and nephews and friends.

Service Details

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009 1:00pm, Ramona Cemetery

Interment Details

Ramona Cemetery