Larey Crawford

Larey Lee Crawford, age 84, passed away November 30, 2020 at Saint Francis Medical Center (CHI) in Grand Island.
Under the circumstances with COVID, the family has chosen to not put any of the family, relatives, and the many friends at any risk.
Family services will be announced and held at a later date.  Higby-McQuiston Mortuary, Aurora, is in charge of arrangements.  Memorials may be made in care of the family to be designated later.  Condolences may be mailed or e-mailed to the family through the mortuary and website at www.higbymortuary.com
Larey Crawford was born on July 25, 1936, in Aurora, to Elbert Crawford and Grace Crawford (Hafer).  Larey had 8 siblings, Jack, Richard, Susan, Keith, Bertie, Karen, Craig and Monte.  He spent his childhood years in the Stockham area, then transferred to Aurora Public School.  He graduated from Aurora High School in 1953.  Following graduation, he enlisted in the Army 33rd Infantry on November 8, 1954 to 1962.  Upon returning from the Army, he then joined the Navy Reserves from 1962 to 1966.  He was employed by the US Postal Service in 1957 until retiring in 1991.
February 8, 1957, he married Laverda Marlene Fowler.  They lived in Aurora for a short time, then moved to Omaha.  While in Omaha, Larey and Marlene’s three children were born.  In 1965 they moved to Alda, to be closer to family and then moved to Phillips, in 1970 where they lived until 2017.  In 1995 Larey and Marlene purchased a motor home and began traveling to Arizona for the winters, coming back to Phillips in the summers.  He enjoyed traveling, tinkering around in the garage, part time working with the area farmers for planting and harvest, some tinkering re-building old toys.
He enjoyed the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Laverda Marlene, parents and in-laws, brothers and sisters, and his daughter, LeAnn Crawford.  
He is survived by his two sons, John (Kim) of Aurora, Todd (Jody) of Greer, SC, 4 grandchildren, Samantha (Andy) Palensky, Lyndlee (Dave) Mansfield, Kearsten (Spencer) Bures and Joshua Philips; 5 great-grandchildren, Paxton, Leighton and Emerson Palensky, Maelee and Max Bures, plus many other relatives, nieces, nephews and friends.