Arkabutla - James A. "Tank" Crawford, Sr., 86, of Arkabutla, Mississippi, went to be with his Lord on August 20, 2013. He was preceded in death by his son, John David Crawford. Mr. Crawford is survived by his wife of 62 years, Louise Babb Crawford; 2 daughters, Susan Williams (Paul) of Olive Branch, MS, and Carolyn Gindt of Lakeland, TN; 3 sons, Jimmy Crawford (Donna) of Canton, NY, Stephen Crawford (Terry) of Bartlett, TN, and Mike Crawford (Rita) of Hernando, MS; 13 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. He also leaves a sister, Tillie Mayse of Farmington, MO, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

He was a member of First Baptist Church, Coldwater, MS. A graduate of Memphis Technical School and the University of Mississippi, Mr. Crawford received his B.S. in 1950 and his Masters in 1953. He played on Ole Miss'' first Southeastern Conference Championship team in 1947, and helped Ole Miss secure their first Delta Bowl win. In 1950 he was selected for the College All Star team and the Blue and Gray game. He was All Southeastern Conference his sophomore, junior and senior years, and as a senior was elected to the University of Mississippi Hall of Fame.

In 2011 Jimmy "Tank" Crawford was presented by the Ole Miss Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame with the Distinguished American Award. He was a member of the M-Club Alumni, the UMAA Foundation, and a lifetime member of the UM Alumni Association.

Mr. Crawford worked for 25 years in Memphis, TN as a Federal Probation and Parole Officer. He served in the Marine Corps for 2 years and in the Marine Corps Reserves for 20 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was also a devoted deacon and Sunday School teacher for 50 years, a member of the sanctuary choir, and a member of the Gideons International.

Visitation will be at First Baptist Church, Coldwater, MS on Friday, August 23, 2013 beginning at 9:30 a.m., with the service to follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Memphis Memory Gardens on Raleigh Lagrange Rd. at 2 p.m. Memorials may be sent to Gideons International, First Baptist Church of Coldwater, or St. Jude Children''s Hospital.

Forest Hill Funeral Home, South (901)346-3250