Ted J. Crawford, 89, of Hays, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at Hays Medical Center in Hays.  

He was born October 27, 1936, to Ralph C. and Ellen (Calkins) Crawford. He married Cecelia (Kreutzer) on October 2, 1956, in Hays. She preceded him in death on September 2, 2021.

He started working for OkMar-Brexco in 1954 and worked in the oil fields for the rest of his life. He worked for his son Jeff a few years before retiring in 2020. Ted and Cecelia lived in Palco and Zurich before moving to Hays in 1964. Ted grew up north of Victoria, attended school in Victoria, and graduated from Victoria High School.

Ted was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and Saint Joseph Knights of Columbus Council No. 1325, both in Hays. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, and attending the grandchildren’s activities.

Survivors include his children, Jeff Crawford and Donna Weigel, Gorham, Deb Smith and husband, Mike, Plainville, and Laura Thomas and husband, Mark, Topeka; his brother, Lee Crawford, Russell; his sister, Patsy Dreiling, Catharine; his brothers-in-law, Nick Kreutzer, Bloomington, Ind., and Francis Kreutzer, Ellis; his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Kreutzer, Ellis; his grandchildren, Andrew Malleck (Casey); Aaron Crawford (Taylor); Adam Malleck (Marah); Cole Smith (Katie); Audrey Dougherty (Tyler); MaKayla Parton (Kelby); Austin Crawford; Michael Malleck; Jonah Smith; and 16 great grandchildren.                                        

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph C. and Ellen Crawford; his wife, Cecelia Crawford; his son, Jerry Crawford; his infant son, George Michael Crawford; his sister-in-law, Shirley Crawford; and his brothers-in-law, LaVern Dreiling and Clifford Kreutzer,

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, September 28, 2026, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 18th and Vine, Hays, with Father Nick Parker as celebrant. Burial was in Saint Joseph Cemetery, Hays, Kansas.

Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays handled the funeral arrangements.

The family suggests memorials payable to: Wild Trust {Kansas Wildlife and Parks} for youth programs, in care of Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.