Robert Crawford

Burlington-Robert Eugene Crawford, 86 went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 17, 2016 at his home surrounded by his family. He was a native of Orange County and the husband of 53 years to Peggy Fisher Crawford who survives.
Gene grew up in Hillsborough the oldest of 5 children. He learned the masonry trade from his father. After working for various builders, he went to work for WH Weaver Construction in Greensboro as a Superintendent doing commercial/ residential jobs in and out of state until retirement after over 40 years. Gene was a perfectionist in every walk of his life, whether it be construction jobs or breeding rabbits which developed into the love of his life.
Gene and Peggy traveled to Bristol to Nascar Races for years. You could find him in front of the TV if a nascar race was on, other sports he liked were college and pro-basketball and football. Gene knew everything when he came to stats "Just ask him". He loved spending time with his family and friends, playing with his dogs, going to rabbit shows, spending time with his rabbits earning him his nickname "Hoppy".
Gene began raising show rabbits in the 1970's. From then until 2015, he earned many awards and honors for his dedication in helping upgrade the standards of the New Zealand White breed. He was a lifetime member of the NC Rabbit Breeders Association, the Ohio State New Zealand Club and American Rabbit Breeder Association. He was a dedicated supporter of the Ohio State New Zealand Youth Scholarship Fund and donated rabbits to their auctions.
Gene didn't attend church regularly but he listened to services at home on TV. He always kept his radio on Christian music in the rabbit building and he was fond of old hymns.
Survivors include his wife of the home, Peggy Fisher Crawford; daughters, Ursula Gibson and fiancé, Craig Anderson of Fuquay Varina and Donna Faye Winecoff and husband, Ben of Hillsborough; sons, Jason Lynn and wife, Sonya of Efland, Jay Carl Crawford and wife, Cara of Cedar Grove, Robert Duke Crawford of Hillsborough and Timothy Mark Crawford of Hillsborough; Ten grandchildren and six great grandchildren; sisters, Nancy Kahn of Burlington, Hilda Crittion of Cedar Grove and Mary Alice Pangdon of Durham; loving sister-in-law and caregiver, Patricia Lynn of Mebane; special cousin, David James of Mebane and "Like a son" Chase Brooks and wife, Brenda of Graham. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Samuel and Bertha Marie Smith Crawford and a brother, Carlton Crawford.
A service to celebrate his life will be held on Thursday, July 21, 2016 at 1:00 pm at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel by Eric G. Rudd and the burial will follow with military honors at Graham Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm on Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at Lowe Funeral Home and Crematory and other times at the home.
Memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Alamance-Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215 or Ohio State New Zealand Youth Scholarship Fund, C/O Terry Grubb, P O Box 643, Chillicothe, OH 45601.

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