James C. Crawford

Former Chief of Minnesota State Highway Patrol. Age 77 of Forest Lake. Died December 10, 2005 at St. Johns Hospital in Maplewood. Preceded in death by daughter Jodie Larson in April, 1993 and his sister Laura Olson. Survived by wife of 56 years, Barbara Crawford (nee Hall); sons Jeff (Lynda) of Woodbury, Jay (Jan) of Apex, North Carolina; grandchildren Kadie, Kendall, and Kale Crawford, Samantha and Sarah Crawford, James and Jessica Ashwood; sisters Jane Day of Portland, OR and Margaret Kramer of Joplin, MO. James was the Chief of the Minnesota State Highway Patrol from 1972 -1979. He began is patrol training in 1951 and was appointed a patrolman in 1952, retiring from the State Highway Patrol in October 1979. James was active in the Army Reserve for over 30 years. He retired from the US Army Reserve as Brigadier General on June 15, 1988. James served the city of Forest Lake as it Mayor for one term - 1990 - 1994. He was an active Mason at Forest Lake Masonic Lodge #344 and Shriner and a member of the American Legion Business and Professional group. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 13th from 4-8 PM at the Roberts-Eckert Funeral Home, 555 Centennial Drive SW, Forest Lake. Funeral will be Wednesday, December 14th at 10:30 AM with one hour of vistiation before the service at Faith Lutheran Church, 886 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake. Interment will follow at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials preferred to Memorial Masonic Cancer Center.