Hollis Dean Crawford, 84 was born on October 1, 1939, and gained his final promotion into heaven on September 2, 2024.

Hollis was the son of John Barton Crawford and Ethel May (Kirkpatrick) Crawford. Hollis was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Deleta (Slover) Crawford in 1960. Hollis and Deleta had four children.

He is survived by his wife Deleta and their children; Hollis Dale Crawford (Malinda), Felicia Crawford Scott (Tim), Dave Crawford (Abbie) and Bobby Crawford (Jodi). Hollis is also survived by his older brother John Crawford and wife Connie, younger brother Richard Crawford and sister-in-law Connie Crawford (wife of his best friend and younger brother Gerald). He’s also survived by his grandchildren; Jeremy Crawford, Cassie Peck, Pearce Crawford, Whitley Crawford, Dillan Crawford, and Coltyn Crawford and step-grandchildren: Lurah Handspiker, Karsyn Elliott, Sidnee-Jo Eliott, Lathyn Aucutt, and great grandchildren; Madisynn, Morgan, and Dakota Crawford, Candence and Jayce Handspiker. Hollis is also survived by 2 nephews; Steve Crawford and John David Crawford (Diane) and 4 nieces; Carole Wharton (Chad), Melanie Greene (David), Elisabeth Biehl (Kevin), Rachel Crawford and their families.

Hollis is preceded in death by his parents, his younger brother and best friend Gerald Crawford and a sister-in-law Glinda Crawford.

Hollis lived most of his life in Adair County and was a graduate from Kirksville High School with the Class of 1957. He grew up on his family farm just outside of Millard, MO. Hollis made a lifetime career working for the Missouri Department of Conservation. Hollis was a conservation educator, not only for MDC but for the Truman State University and for many years at the same time. He taught conservation education for a total of 51 years (to thousands of students).

Hollis was a hero to his family and many others. No matter how busy things got, he always made time for his family and the people he cared about. His favorite nickname was… Granddad.

Hollis was a very talented man. He was a master carpenter, making many things including grandfather clocks with his dad. Hollis loved to hunt and fish and share those skills with good friends and family members. Hollis came from a generation that made molasses from the sorghum cane planted on their farm. He always took pride in his apple trees and gathering the family for cider making. At least if he could get everyone together, they could take turns twisting the hand crank on the old cider press.

Hollis loved hunting and fishing but, above all, Hollis loved a good duck hunt; with a blind filled with his favorite people such as his younger brother Gerald, his sons, possibly a nephew, a grandchild or two and a good Labrador retriever. And we can’t forget his bag of snacks and a piping-hot thermos of coffee.
With Hollis’ love for hunting, he always taught “safety first.” Hollis held hunter safety classes and workshops across the entire state of MO. Hollis wrote the very first hunter safety education curriculum for the MO Department of Conservation.

Hollis also enjoyed watching the family’s pulling truck run down the track. There are a few photos of him running down the track beside the True Grit truck waving his arms as if to push Bobby through the finish line. And a grin on his face a mile wide.

Hollis also took pride in his little church at Millard. He told stories of helping his dad lay the wood floor in the church when he was a little boy. Hollis helped revive that church now named New Hope MRC where he attended with his family until he was no longer able.

Hollis had a great sense of humor, he loved to laugh and loved to sing.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 8, 2024 at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Pastor John Davison officiating. Burial will follow in the Highland Park Cemetery in Kirksville.

Public visitation will be held from noon until the start of the funeral services.

Memorial donations in memorial of Hollis may be made to Kirksville Ducks Unlimited or to the New Hope Church MRC. Donations may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.