C.M. Crawford, Jr.

Cecil Milton Crawford, Jr (C.M.), 91, of Lampasas, passed away peacefully in the home he was very proud of restoring on February 27, 2026.

Visitation will be held at Sneed-Carnley Funeral Chapel in Lampasas on Friday, March 6, 2026, from 10 am to 11 am. Graveside services will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lampasas at 11:30 am.

C.M. was born on October 7, 1934, in Athens, TX, to Cecil Milton and Mary Caldonia Sawyer Crawford. C.M. grew up in Athens and attended Texas A&M University and was a very proud graduate of the class of '56. He started his distinguished military career with the US Army in 1956 receiving a commission of Lieutenant in Infantry. He then went on to attend basic infantry officers’ course followed by airborne (jump) school in 1957. Early assignments included duty as a reconnaissance platoon leader in the 1st Airborne Battle Group, 505th Infantry; Troop Executive Officer in the 3d Reconnaissance Squadron, 8th Cavalry, USAREUR: Aide-de-Camp to CG, 100th Division (Tng.); S3 Air and Commanding Officer, Troop A, 1st Reconnaissance Squadron 9th Cavalry, and as Aide-de-Camp to CG 1 Corps (GP), Korea. Upon his return to CONUS in 1964, he attended the Armor Officer Career Course followed by an assignment in Vietnam as an Armored Cavalry Troop Advisor (M-113). In 1966, LTC Crawford served as the Project Coordinator and briefing officer for the TANK-ANTITANK study, Combat Developments Command. After graduating from the Command and Staff College in 1969, LTC Crawford returned to Vietnam and commanded the 3d Armored Cavalry Brigade Advisory Detachment. In August 1971, LTC Crawford became a Department of The Army Staff Officer and served in the Unit Training and Readiness Division, Operations Directorate, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Military Operations.

LTC Crawford’s awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with OLC, Bronze Star Medal with OLC, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with OLC, Combat Infantry Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Army General Staff Identification Badge, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and Armor Badge. LTC Crawford was selected to attend the Army War College in 1976, but chose to retire on January 31, 1978 after 20 years, 1 month, and 16 days of active army duty.

He then went on to serve various duties and offices in the communities he lived in. He was President of the Lampasas Chamber of Commerce as well as the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce. C.M. loved being involved and giving back to various organizations and charities. C.M. was also a Mason, an author and a huge history lover.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Virginia Ann Crawford; his son, Milton Crawford and his cousin that was more like a brother to him, John Sawyer.

C.M. is survived by his son, Robert Wells Crawford; his daughter-in-law, Dora Davila and husband Lonnie; his grandchildren, Crystal Crawford and husband Shawn Miller, Robert Crawford, Jr and wife Rebecca, Brandon Crawford and wife Eveanna, Casey Gordon and husband Donte, Taylor and Caitlyn; his great-grandchildren, Phallon, Emily, Paul, Alex, Matthew, Adam, Paxton, DJ, Gunnar, Emma, Adiel, Mateo, Amelia, Karly, Sofia, Alivia, Ariya, Mia, Kreson, and Kaisley.