John Wheelon Crawford

John “Jack” Wheelon Crawford, 78 a long time Devils Lake businessman, died on Wednesday, December 15, 2004 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, Minnesota surrounded by his family. A Memorial Service for Jack will be held on Monday, December 20, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, Devils Lake. Pastor Kevin Kaufmann will officiate. A Private Burial Service for relatives will be held at the Devils Lake Cemetery. Friends may call at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Jack was born on July 28, 1926 in Calvin, ND, the son of William and Myrtle (McSherry) Crawford. He attended school in Calvin where he graduated in June of 1944. Following graduation, Jack enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served active duty as a sonar sound specialist for eleven months in the Pacific Ocean. On November 4, 1944, Jack married Finella McLean in San Diego, CA. Following Jack’s honorable discharge in 1946, he entered the University of North Dakota where he attended school for two years. In 1948, Jack and Finella moved to Devils Lake where he went to work for the Buick Garage for twelve years. In 1960, Jack joined Bob Storman in purchasing a used car dealership and, following his entrepreneurial spirit in 1963, Jack purchased the dealership and changed its name to Suburban Sales. After six years, Jack sold the business and went to manage Lake Supply for one year. In 1969, Jack purchased the Harry McHughes car dealership and subsequently changed its name to Dodge Towne, Inc. Jack successfully owned and operated the business for fifteen years at its downtown location. In 1984, Jack purchased Ramsey Motors and merged the two businesses, combining Dodge, Chrysler, and Plymouth products for what is now known as the Devils Lake Chrysler Center. Jack owned this dealership until 1991 when he sold the business to his son, Hal, and retired. Jack worked on the city planning committee for five years, served as a trustee and elder of the First Presbyterian Church, and volunteered as a Boy Scout leader. Jack was a member of the Elk’s Lodge, VFW, and past member of the North Dakota Auto Dealers Association. Jack also enjoyed the adventure of developing real estate having built several homes in town and at the lake and seven town homes, one of which he and Finella retired to. Jack had a zeal for travel as he and Finella loved the sunshine and the ocean. Their winters took them to Hawaii and Texas while other trips included time in New Zealand, Australia, Scotland and Europe. Jack enjoyed boating having captained his vessel, the “Bonnie Jean”, down the Mississippi, navigated Lake Superior, and cruised about Devils Lake where they spent time at their lake cabin. Jack also loved his garden. Jack was the centerpiece of his family as a husband, father, and grandfather. Jack is survived by the love of his life of 60 years, Finella Son, Hal (Patty) Crawford, Devils Lake Daughters, Deborah Sanderson, Minnetrista, MN and Babbie (Terry) Brenner, Grand Forks, ND; Grandchildren: Nick and Calvin Crawford; Mallory and Meghan Sanderson Brother: Robert (Carol) Crawford, West Fargo, ND Sister: Lillian Teske, Electric City, Washington Brother-In-Law: Gordon (Donna) McLean, Hot Springs Village, Arkansas Sisters-In-Law: Helen Crawford, Fargo, ND and Delores McLean of Mesa, Arizona Several Nieces and Nephews He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Paula; brothers, Kenneth and Donald Crawford; sisters, Mildred, Wilma, Ruby and Lois; brothers-in-law, Lyle McLean and his wife, Dorothy and Percy McLean.