Paul Jabis Crawford

     Paul Jabis Crawford, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and brother, was born on January 11, 1926 in Twin Falls, Idaho. He was born to Edward and Nellie (Telford) Crawford. He lived an adventure-filled life, from which he passed on September 8, 2024. 

     Paul was educated in Filer and graduated from Filer High School.  He was a gifted athlete, but gave the teachers a run for their money! He was named captain of the Filer High School basketball team. He also played football and ran track. Paul could outrun his son well past his 60th birthday!  

     Paul joined the Navy during WWII, shortly after high school graduation. He toured the South Pacific on an aircraft carrier, the Shipley Bay, CVE-85 as an Electrician’s Mate. He often spoke about going through the Panama Canal aboard the Shipley Bay.

      Following his Honorable Discharge from the Navy, Paul worked for the Forest Service, spraying grasshoppers. He started outfitting in the beautiful Idaho mountains with a family member. They trailed horses from Filer to Stanley, where they hosted trail rides and campouts in the Sawtooth Mountains. During the Fall, he took hunters on guided hunts. One of his annual clients was the author, Erle Stanley Gardner, who gifted Paul a shotgun after one of their adventures. Paul’s much-younger brother, Ray, joined him on many of those trail rides. When Ray reported on his summer activities to his teachers, Paul had to visit the school and assure the teachers that it was all true! 

     In 1953, Paul met Lola Mai at a dance in Burley. Following a two-year courtship, they were married on January 16, 1955 in the Mai Family home in Paul. Together, they farmed rented land in Filer and Jerome. In 1965, they purchased their own farm in Lincoln County, where they developed a successful dairy and farm operation. He missed the mountains, so he arranged many hunting trips with his brother Ray, son Clay, and nephew David. Paul and Lola turned the farm operation over to their son, semi-retiring in 1998. They began traveling the countryside together in their fifth wheel camper, from Canada to Alaska, Arizona to Branson, Missouri - and all points in between! Whether it be on horseback, behind the wheel of a Dodge pick-up, or astride his four-wheeler, hunting, fishing, or just chasing water, Paul was happiest when outdoors and was always ready to explore more territory or catch another fish! 

     Following Lola’s passing in 2009, Paul enjoyed traveling with his son and his family, visiting numerous national parks, historical sites, and softball fields. He was truly the absolute best father and would do anything for his kids or grandkids. Paul spent 98 years of LIVING and LOVING life and will be missed every day!

     Paul is preceded in death by his parents, seven siblings (Homer, Doris, Josephine, Juanita, Myrtle, Richard, and Ray) and wife - Lola. He leaves behind a very sad, but grateful family who enjoyed their time with this wonderful man.

     Paul is survived by: his daughter - Renee (Wesley) Bettis; daughter - Laurie Crawford; son - Clay (Glenda Knight); granddaughters - Briana Bradley (Caleb Caballero), Madison (Talon) Vargovich, and Kendal Crawford; and one great-grandson - Ezra Caballero. 

     Paul will be greatly missed at family gatherings, card games, game nights, travels, and in daily life! We’ll be searching for his smile, joy, and mischievous twinkling blue eyes!  

     The family would like to thank the dedicated staff of Loving Elder Care and Idaho Home Health and Hospice for their care and support during Paul’s final days.

     A memorial service to celebrate Paul’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 21 at Demaray Funeral Chapel, 737 Main Street inGooding, followed by a reception at Gooding County Fairgrounds 4-H Conference Room.

     Funeral and cremation arrangements are under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service – Gooding Chapel.

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