Jay Crawford

On Tuesday, March 15, 2022, James “Jay” William Crawford Sr., passed away peacefully at 1 a.m. at the Seymour Hospital in Seymour, Texas and was received by loved ones in heaven.

James was born on July 8, 1937 and was 84 years old. He was born in Seymour, Texas at the old Seymour Hospital.

His parents were Banty Frank and Alice Ruth (Moore) Crawford. He had two sisters, Frankie June Crawford Guynes and Edythe Ann Crawford Adkins; and two brothers, Gerald Glen Crawford and Jack Marlin Crawford.

He was raised in Vera, Texas and in Seymour. He attended Seymour schools and married the love of his life Jerry Ann Weckar on May 8, 1959 in Seymour. They had three daughters, Debra Lynn, Tammy Jo and Kimberly Ann; and one son, James “Jimbo” William Crawford, Jr. 

James was an accomplished man who experienced various jobs over his working career. A great accomplishment was establishing his own BBQ eatery in 1999. He blessed the Seymourians and travelers with his meals. His wife, Jerry Ann, formulated her own brand of BBQ sauce and coleslaw to compliment Jay and Jerry’s (J’s BBQ) brand.

He had a great love for his family and enjoyed spending time with them, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. James was a kind man with a generous heart and when he wasn’t outside in his yard, he was making crispy pancakes for his granddaughters and cooking for Jerry Ann. James was a man of few words and lived a simple life.

He was a member of the Baylor County Cowboy Church and loved interacting with folks over a cup of coffee and donuts.

James is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jerry Ann; one daughter, Tammy Jo Crawford Billingsley; one son, James Crawford, Jr. and his wife, Miranda; four grandchildren, Ashley Elizabeth Davila and husband, Chris; and Krista Renee Reed; Joshua William Crawford and Luke William Crawford; one brother, Jack Crawford; 7 great-grandchildren, Johnathon, Benjamin, Elijah, Zoey, Nathaniel, Nikolai and one on the way; 3 step-great-grandsons, Wyatt, Colt and Sawyer Davila; many nieces and nephews and family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his two sisters, and brother, Gerald; as well as his in-laws, Arvil Richard Weckar and Frances Irene Weckar. James is also preceded in death by his precious daughters, Debra Lynn and Kimberly Ann. James wanted his remains laid beside his daughter’s graves in Riverview Cemetery. 

A Celebration of Life was held on Sunday, April 3, 2022 at 1 p.m. at the Baylor County Cowboy Church with Pastor Chad Houck officiating. The services were under direction of Archer Funeral Home.

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