Kenton Joseph Crawford

Kenton Joseph Crawford was born on March 5, 1956, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Frankie L. Crawford and Kenton Joseph Burt. He attended the public schools of Cincinnati, including Hughes High School and earned his Graduate Equivalency Diploma while in the military.

During his early years, he was regarded as “Mr. Cool,” who always came to the aid of his female relatives when they were harassed by bullies or unwanted suitors. Mischievous was his middle name. Therefore, to keep him out of trouble, Hound Dog (Phylis) and Pac Man (John) mentored Kenton, taught him how to repair cars and introduced him to racing. Those skills and interests would continue into his adulthood.

An avid and skilled roller skater, his favorite spot was Lincoln Heights Roller Rink. In fact, he skated to the rink.

In 1973, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. His work ethic was exemplary; his skill was sure. His assignments included some of the most dangerous. Kenton’s military occupational specialties included rifleman, ammunition bearer, gunner, forward observer and expert marksman. After serving his country, he was honorably discharged in 1979.

“Cricket,” as he is affectionately called, relocated to Fort Valley, Georgia, in 1982, where he met Venie Hill. He loved to dance, and on the dance floor, so to speak, is where they met. He wed his life partner on May 23, 1992, and they enjoyed 33 years of happy matrimony.

His career after the military included employment for three years at Milacron in Cincinnati as an overhead crane operator, but he found a new passion in trucking becoming a truck driver for 42 years, spending 23 with Diversified Carriers trucking company in Warner Robins, Georgia. He retired in August 2024.

A master griller, Cricket could be found enduring the heat and smoke to prepare mouthwatering delights for his guests. Born in the North, he soon became a southerner, always hospitable and generous with his food and beverages, willing to feed anyone who visited his home. He perfected the art of southern hospitality.

His hobbies were drag racing, working on cars and talking on CB radios. His drag racing earned him several money stickers, and he competed in CB breaks competitions under the monikers of Gemini, Youngblood and Big Shorty.

Always the jokester, you can count on Cricket for a laugh or a funny story to lift your spirits. If all else failed, he would favor you with a toothy grin that could melt icebergs. His positivity was infectious. He never met a stranger. Proverbs 18:24 NKJV says, “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” This was the epitome of Kenton Joseph Crawford.

Kenton is preceded in death by his mother Frankie L. Crawford and father Kenton Joseph Burt; infant son Kenton Joseph Crawford II; daughter Sheree Bouyer; sisters Constance Richardson, Frances (Rudolph) Hughes and Patricia Crawford; brother Franklin Crawford; and mother-in-law Mattie Hill Williams.

He is survived by wife Venie Hill Crawford; sisters Charlotte Crawford and Gail Crawford; brothers Corey (Petra) Fitzgerald and Howard (Diana) Burt; daughters Katina Brown, Karishma Haysbert, Keena Haysbert, Kamille Haysbert, Kendra Crawford, Karen Wright and honorary daughter Lucretia Hicks; sisters-in-law Kay Crawford, Gloria Wright and Nadine (Grover) Stephens; brothers-in-law Charles Richardson and Johnny Hill; a special friend, Sheila West; aunt Elizabeth White; 15 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.