Sharon Louise Crawford's Obituary
Sharon Louise Crawford
Mrs. Sharon (Colburn) Crawford, died peacefully in Tacoma, Washington on Thursday, July 13, 2017 at the age of 54.
Sharon is survived by her husband, Jerry, and her daughter, Kelli. She is preceded in death by her father, Richard Colburn, mother Charlene Colburn, sister, Janice (Colburn) Jones, father-in-law Kenny Crawford, and niece Samantha Boyer.
Sharon was born on August 22, 1962, in Tacoma, Washington to Richard and Charlene Colburn. Sharon graduated from Washington High School and attended Central Washington University. Sharon married Jerry Crawford in August of 1984. Sharon worked as an IT Asset Manager for Weyerhaeuser prior to moving to the Tacoma School District as a Professional Development Technical Specialist.
Sharon was married to Jerry Crawford for thirty-three years. She met Jerry at a softball tournament at Peck field in Tacoma and has been wearing his baseball hat ever since. Jerry and Sharon loved having adventures together. It didn’t matter where they went as long as they went together; whether it was a day trip to the ocean for clamming, weekend trips to Lake Roosevelt for fishing or road trips with family and friends.
Sharon was an exceptional basketball and track athlete at Washington High School in Tacoma. She had a fiercely competitive athletic spirit and love of sports. All athletic contests became competitive whether it was basketball in the driveway, a round of golf with her husband or pickle ball with friends. Sharon played to win! Her competitive spirit was shared by Jerry and was passed onto Kelli. Sharon’s love for the game of softball supported her daughter, Kelli, throughout her life including Kelli’s collegiate career at Pacific Lutheran University and Jerry’s many years as a competitive men’s softball player. The family’s love of the game had Sharon spending many hours in the bleachers with her scorebook on her knees tracking every pitch and hit; her love of softball grew with every game as she watched Jerry and then Kelli play. Watching Sharon watch her family play would give you an insider’s view of a family devoted to each other. Jerry and Sharon’s long, loving marriage is an example for Kelli and all of us to aspire to. In May, Sharon attended the NCAA Regional Softball Tournament to watch her niece play. She was not going to miss this event; her warrior spirit and drive supported her being in the stands to cheer on her niece. No one expected this to be Sharon’s final appearance in a stadium watching ball.
Sharon’s deep faith and love of family provided all around her with a rock of support. Sharon made sure everyone felt included and welcomed in her home or at any event that she attended. Her bright eyes and welcoming smile immediately made all feel part of the group. Sharon was actively involved in Kelli’s life attending her school activities and athletics. You knew Sharon would be there for Kelli, her friends and nieces and nephews regardless of the time of day, location or other commitments. Above all else, family was most important to her and she always made time for family and friends. Sharon’s loving spirit, compassion and huge heart will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
A Memorial Service celebrating the life of Sharon will be held 2:00 PM Thursday, July 20, 2017 at Trinity Lutheran Church, adjacent to the PLU campus. A reception will follow the services in Thompson Hall. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Sharon’s life.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (https://ocrfa.org/).
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