Milton Samuel Crawford was born in Chicago, IL on December 5th, 1932, to Rev. Andrew Crawford and Nellie (Stegenga) Crawford as their second son. His father started a storefront church in Battle Creek, Michigan and moved his family from Chicago to join him. Later, his family moved to a farm in Athens, Michigan when Milt was 9 years old. He graduated from Athens High School in 1951. He worked for Post Cereal in Battle Creek, before being drafted in the Army. He served as a Medic Assistant in the Korean Conflict, and as a General’s Driver. Following his honorable discharge in 1955, he worked for Vitro Engineering on the S.A.G.E. (Semi-Automatic Ground Environment) Project at Fort Custer. He was also a Youth Minister for the Church of the Four-Fold Gospel in Battle Creek Michigan. It was there he met his wife, Jeanette Minor; they were married in June of 1956. Working a swing shift, Milt attended Western Michigan University to study H.V.A.C. (Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration). Upon graduation, Milt had a refrigeration repair shop out of his home in Michigan. Then, Milt answered an ad in a refrigeration magazine to work in Florida, was hired, and asked if he could start in 2 weeks. In 1959, Milt sold the refrigeration business and they, his wife and 6-month-old son Scott, were on the way to Sarasota, Florida. His new boss died after a few years and Milton was encouraged by customers to start his own Air Conditioning and Heating business. Fast forward to 1967, he started Milt’s Air Conditioning and Heating Service.

During this time, Milt and his family were very involved members of Faith Assembly of God. He was a Deacon and he and Jeanette taught Sunday School for many years. He retired and sold his company in 1995. He and Jeanette re-located to Amelia Island in May of 1998. It was there that Rick, (Milt Jr.) their youngest son, had started his own business in 1990 called Milt’s of Amelia. Milt worked part time for his son picking up equipment and parts in Jacksonville. Milt also spent time volunteering at Nassau Baptist Hospital in the ER. He later became an Assistant Chaplain under Jim Tippins. While there, he saw a need for the children that came into the ER with nothing to help them in their trauma. Milt and Jeanette then went around thrifting stuffed animals and taking them home to wash, dry, and repair where needed. They bagged the stuffed animals in sealed bags and made them available to the ER staff to give out to the children in their care. Since 1999, Milt and Jeanette have been members of First Baptist Church of Fernandina. Milt was also instrumental in creating the inaugural HVAC class at the Lewis “Red” Bean Technical Career Center in 2009.

Milt is proceeded in death by their daughter Mary, his parents, Andrew and Nellie, his younger sister Beverly and recently in March of 2023 his older brother, Andrew Jr. He is survived by his wife of 67 ½ years and his six children. Son, Scott (Pamela) Crawford of Bradenton, FL; Daughter, Dawn (Dave) Rose of Lebanon, IN; Son, Rick (Kimberly) of Fernandina Beach, FL; Daughter, Debbie Markey (Rob) of Bushnell, FL; Daughter, Peggi Karnes of Jacksonville, FL; and Son, Keith (Judy) Crawford of Sarasota, FL. He had 15 grandchildren (25 when including their spouses), 28 great grandchildren (29 when including their spouses), and 1 great-great grandchild.

A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church in Fernandina Beach on Saturday, November 25, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to First Baptist Church of Fernandina Building Fund.