Geary Crawford

#8220;Be thou faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life.#8221; (Revelation 2:10) Geary Len Crawford, 56, received his crown of life from the Lord August 10, 2009. Geary was born in Bozeman, Montana on June 29, 1953, the youngest son of Norman and Luella (Wilson) Crawford. Geary attended school in Manhattan, graduating in 1972. He attended Western Montana College at Dillon, Montana for a short time. He later completed a course in machine work at Helena Vocational School of Technology as part of his employment at Holcim. In his early years, Geary was employed by the Les Ypma Metal and Machine Shop in Manhattan, and worked for Peter Kiewitt Construction remodeling the Ideal Basic cement plant. After this, Geary went to work for Ideal Cement, now Holcim, Inc., at Trident, where he has been employed for over 32 years. He faithfully served and defended his fellow workers there through his leadership as a job steward and vice president of the Local D239 of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers Helpers. Geary met Suzanne Welch doing one of the things they both loved, playing baseball, and married the love of his life, May 13, 1989. Always holding hands, the love they shared was apparent to all who knew them. That love was held together by their mutual faith and the forgiveness offered by the death and resurrection of Jesus. They lived together in the Manhattan area and worshipped at First Lutheran Church in Bozeman. Geary loved sports and being with his family. He was so proud of the relationship he had with his children and his treasured wife. They were Geary#8217;s #8220;pride#8221;. He and Suzanne were extensively involved in the Gallatin Valley Outlaws American Legion Baseball program with their sons Lynn and Ari. Summers were filled with games and tournaments. Geary#8217;s love of sports also included football, basketball, hunting, camping, and skiing. Geary also enjoyed puttering in his shop, building, repairing things, welding, raising cattle, haying, and carrying on the farm tradition of his dad, Norman. His talents were unlimited, doing well at everything he took to task. Geary loved and was so very proud of his children. Each is unique and was very special to him. Ashley, #8220;his little Gretta#8221;- He was so proud to be your daddy. To give you away in marriage was a big privilege for him; and then becoming a Grandpa, when Rhiannon was born, was very special. Lynn #8211; Your accomplishments with the Outlaws baseball team, your academic achievements at Manhattan Christian and Montana Tech, were respected and admired by your dad. You are your dad#8217;s #8220;straight arrow#8221;. Ari - You are your dad#8217;s #8220;R#8221;, #8220;the big guy#8221;. Your musical talent, basketball, and baseball achievements were a great source of pride to your dad. Geary is survived by his wife, Suzanne, sons Lynn and Ari of Manhattan, daughter Ashley (Ben) and granddaughter Rhiannon Wallace of Rogers, Arkansas; mother, Luella Crawford of Bozeman; brothers, Lonnie (Collette) Crawford of Manhattan, Don Crawford of Billings, and sister, Arletta (Jim) Derleth of Manhattan; three nieces and six nephews. He is also survived by Suzanne#8217;s parents, Gary and Jean Welch of Townsend, as well as countless friends: in the community, from the Outlaw Baseball program, at Holcim and in the Local D239, and lifelong friends Mark Roadarmel and Dan Curtis of Manhattan. He was preceded in death by his father, Norman, in 1993. Even though Geary left us before we were ready to let him go, we are proud of how he lived his life. He tried to do all the things that he loved; he worked hard to provide for his family, and trusted in God to take care of the rest. His last days were spent with his wife and children at his side, sharing their love for one another, giving a blessing to each of them, affirming his faith in the Savior, and giving his family totally into God#8217;s care. Our memories of Geary will be in our hearts until we get to heaven to meet him again. A celebration of Geary#8217;s life will be held at First Lutheran Church, 225 South Black in Bozeman on August 15 at 3:00 PM. Memorials may be made to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, PO Box 396, Zion, IL 60099.