Martin Poe Crawford

Martin Poe Crawford (78), of Delaware, Ohio, was called to his eternal home on February 27, 2025, surrounded by family. Martin, fondly known as Marty, was born to Mary Anne and Vern Poe Crawford on March 17, 1946, in Gallipolis, Ohio. He grew up with one foot in Ohio and the other in West Virginia until the family moved to Columbus. He got an early start in the grocery business as a teenager, before he joined the Army where he spent most of his time in the Vietnam War as a combat photographer with the 1st Cavalry Division, documenting both the atrocities of war and the kind faces of civilians caught up in the conflict. He was later presented with the Army Commendation Medal for exceptionally meritorious service in support of allied counterinsurgency operations in the Republic of Vietnam. Following Vietnam, Marty met Gayle Schmidt on the campus of The Ohio State University. After she threw a wet rag in his face at a campus bar, he was smitten, and the two wed only months later on July 12, 1969. The pair welcomed three children – Tanya, Sean and Heather – and after a couple of moves and job changes in the grocery business, landed in Delaware, Ohio. Marty was a dedicated father, always working to provide for his family. During the decades he lived in Delaware, Marty was involved with the community, including joining the Delaware Optimist Club, VFW Post 3297, and later the Freemasons. After Marty retired from Spartan (formerly Food Town), he spent several years driving a bus for the Olentangy School District – always coming home with a story to share about the kids he enjoyed so much – and making lifelong friends, including George Zeoli and Dan Jacobs. Marty was committed to fellow veterans, focusing the last decades of his life on lifting up and honoring them. He was a member of the Vietnam Veterans Association, serving a stint as Chaplain, and valued the time he spent with other veterans, sharing their experiences and talking through the traumas of war. He was overwhelmed to be selected to join an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. and gave back by participating in Honor Guard for funeral ceremonies of veterans in the Delaware County area. Marty was quite the character. He always had a joke or story to tell, was the life of the party, and was always ready for an adventure. Once, in Aruba, it was only by the grace of God that he safely returned after a solo driving adventure into the desert without enough gas to make it back. Another time, while vacationing in Outer Banks with family, Marty took off to find a local pilot with a WWII era two-seater bi-plane and only managed to squeeze into the cramped seat by taking his shoes off. He would also give the shirt off his back to someone in need. His family and friends were particularly aware of his generosity – especially those who ended up with one of the many treasures he bought in large quantities with the specific intent to give them away. Marty’s boisterous spirit is carried on by his loving wife, Gayle; their children, Tanya Crawford (husband Brian Majkowski, grandchildren Hunter and Chase), Sean Crawford (wife Theresa, grandchildren Carter, Courtney and Hayley) and Heather Crawford Darling (husband Stan Darling III); and his two surviving sisters, Martha Hickle (husband Gene), and Derri Baumbusch (husband Wally). Marty was preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters, Kristi Fornshell (surviving husband, William), and Patti Kunzelman (surviving husband, John). To celebrate and honor Marty’s life, the family invites you to All Shepherds Lutheran Church at 6580 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center, Ohio on Friday, March 7, 2025, for a visitation from 4-6pm, followed by a funeral service at 6pm. Visitors are invited to wear red, Marty’s favorite color. The interment will be witnessed by family and close friends at 10:30am on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Oak Grove Cemetery in Delaware, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to DAV (Disabled American Veterans), or Wounded Warriors. .

Martin Poe Crawford

March 17, 1946 - February 27, 2025