Andrew Philip 'Phil' Crawford

Andrew Philip “Phil” Crawford, of Norman, Oklahoma, passed away on Thursday, February 23, 2023, at the age of 85, surrounded by his loving family.

Phil was born on August 20, 1937, to Viola (Harden) Crawford and Jefferson Crawford in Ada, Oklahoma.  He graduated in 1955 from Ada High School and enlisted in the Reserve of the United States Marine Corps.  Shortly thereafter, he enlisted in the United States Army.  He served his country well and completed his Marine basic training in Quantico, Virginia, and his Army basic training in Fort Gibson, Colorado.  He attended the University of Oklahoma before transferring and receiving his BA in Sociology from Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma.  He met the love of his life, Adenya (Palmer) Crawford, at the Central State Student Union and married her eight months later on July 29, 1962, in Duncan, Oklahoma.  They spent the majority of their 52 year marriage in Norman, where he worked and eventually retired from the United States Postal Service.  The two were inseparable, and Phil was a devoted husband and later caregiver until her passing in 2014.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents, Jefferson and Viola Crawford; two sisters, Mary Gaffaney and Pat Bell; and his wife, Adenya.  He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Stacey and Mike Sulzen of Frisco, Texas, and Candace and Brad McNeese of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and five grandchildren, Lauren Sulzen and Avery Sulzen of Frisco, Texas, Cole McNeese of Boston, Massachusetts, and Cade and Emma McNeese of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Phil’s greatest joys in life were his family and the Lord.  He was humble, kind, loyal, hardworking, had a great sense of humor, and loved the simple things in life.  He was a wonderful husband, father, and papa that always enjoyed supporting and spending time with his family every chance he could.  He loved going to the gym, which he did without fail up until his 85th birthday.  He was disciplined in all aspects of his health and remained very active until a recent short, yet courageous, battle with Multiple Myeloma.  He was an avid reader and could tell you anything about everything.  He enjoyed traveling (especially to Las Vegas), loved watching sports and was a big fan of the OKC Thunder and OU Sooners.  He was a long time member of First Baptist Church of Norman and a proud member of the Chickasaw Nation where his mother was an original enrollee on the Dawes Commission Rolls.  Phil loved the Lord and looked forward to eternal life with his Heavenly Father and wife, Denie.  He was an incredibly bright and wise man and leaves a legacy of impeccable integrity and remarkable work ethic that will live on.

At his request, there will be a private graveside gathering of family to honor Phil on Friday, March 3, 2023.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in remembrance of Phil be made to First Baptist Church of Norman, Oklahoma.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4