Crawford Knox; Navy Veteran, Local Volunteer

Camarillo resident Crawford W. Knox, a veteran who was proud of his 20 years of service with the Navy, died Sunday. He was 81.

Crawford was born Sept. 6, 1915, in Carbon, Texas. He was 25 when he joined the Navy and retired 20 years later as a chief aviation metal smith.

Crawford returned to college and graduated from Rhode Island College with a degree in vocational education and worked for 15 years in the civil service.

In 1975, Crawford moved to Ventura, where he served as training administrator for the Naval Construction Battalion Center at Port Hueneme. He retired in 1979.

In 1984, Knox and his wife, Claire, moved to Leisure Village. Knox became a volunteer for Survivalmobile, a service that drives patients to medical appointments. He was a Mason for more than 50 years and was a charter member of the Republican Presidential Task Force.

In addition to his wife, Knox is survived by sons Kenneth Knox of Rumford, R.I., and R. Wayne Knox of Alexandria, Va.; daughter Laura Knox of Ventura; brother Alvis Knox of New York City; sisters Frankie Jarrett of Gorman, Texas, and Deb Crowley of Comfort, Texas; and two grandchildren.

Services will be held Thursday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Ventura, with the Revs. Jerome E. Kahler and Faye Hogan presiding. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.

Donations may be made in Knox’s name to Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 24 of Ventura, Box 892, Ventura, CA 93001.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home in Ventura.