In Loving Memory of Milt Crawford 1932 – 2023

Milton Samuel Crawford was born in Chicago, IL on December 5th, 1932, to Rev. Andrew Crawford and Nellie (Stegenga) Crawford as their second son. His father started a storefront church in Battle Creek, Michigan and moved his family from Chicago to join him. Later, his family moved to a farm in Athens, Michigan when Milt was 9 years old.

He graduated from Athens High School in 1951. He worked for Post Cereal in Battle Creek, before being drafted in the Army. He served as a Medic Assistant in the Korean Conflict, and as a General’s Driver. Following his honorable discharge in 1955, he worked for Vitro Engineering on the S.A.G.E. (Semi-Automatic Ground Environment) Project at Fort Custer. He was also a Youth Minister for the Church of the Four-Fold Gospel in Battle Creek Michigan. It was there he met his wife, Jeanette Minor; they were married in June of 1956. Working a swing shift, Milt attended Western Michigan University to study H.V.A.C. (Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration).

Upon graduation, Milt had a refrigeration repair shop out of his home in Michigan. Then, Milt answered an ad in a refrigeration magazine to work in Florida, was hired, and asked if he could start in 2 weeks. In 1959, Milt sold the refrigeration business and they, his wife and 6-month-old son Scott, were on the way to Sarasota, Florida. His new boss died after a few years and Milton was encouraged by customers to start his own Air Conditioning and Heating business. Fast forward to 1967, he started Milt’s Air Conditioning and Heating Service.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to First Baptist Church of Fernandina Building Fund.