Walter Mitchell Crawford III, 75 of Fayetteville, Tennessee, died Monday December 19, 2011, at Donaldson Retirement Center following an extended illness. Mitchell was born February 10, 1936 in Fayetteville, Tennessee. His family moved to Chattanooga in 1948 where he graduated from The Baylor School, class of 1954. He graduated in 1958 from Vanderbilt University with degree in Political Science. He received his law degree from Vanderbilt in 1960.

He was preceded in death by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Walter M. (Billy) Crawford Jr., of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Grandparents Rev. and Mrs. Walter M. Crawford of Smithland, Tennessee, and Mr. and Mrs. Emery Carver of Birmingham, AL.

Survivors include his sister Colleen Crawford McCall (James), Signal Mtn., TN; sons Walter M. Crawford IV (Mary Beth), Naples, FL; James Taylor Crawford II (Molly), Atlanta, GA; Grandchildren Morgan Taylor Crawford, Walter Mitchell Crawford V, Megan Alyssa Braunstein, Michael Taylor Crawford, Sadie Laine Crawford, Beck William Crawford, and Blue Gerald Crawford. Numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.

He was a proud member of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve (1960-66).

At Baylor School he was the Regimental Commander, Vice-president of his senior class, associate editor of the Baylor Notes, winner of the Hubert Stagmaier Military Trophy, and received the Time Magazine current events award. He was President of the Round Table literary discussion group. He distinguished himself in athletics on the football and wrestling teams, and in the drama department where he had leading roles in numerous plays. He was selected as “Most Outstanding Student.” In 1954 he was selected as a debater on the National TV show “Youth Takes A Stand.”

At Vanderbilt he was a member and officer of the Kappa Sigma Men’s Fraternity, President of the Young Democrats Club, editor of the Tower, and on the staff of the Dean of Men. He was President of the Vanderbilt University Theater Group 1963-64 and appeared in several productions.

He entered the legal profession in 1960 in Chattanooga and became a partner of Chambliss, Bahner and Crawford in 1965. He was in private practice 1975-1985 in Franklin, TN; served on the Board of Review, Tennessee Department of Employment Security (1977-1980) and was appointed Deputy Commissioner for Tennessee Dept, of Employment Security in 1987-1996; Williamson County Attorney (1980-1982); Attorney for the Office of Nashville-Davidson County Metropolitan Trustee and County Clerk (1978-1985). He was a member of the Williamson County, Tennessee and American Bar Association. He served on the Judicial Selection commission for Democratic Nominees, Tennessee Supreme Court, 1974, and on the Executive Committee and Trustee, Legal Aid Society of Chattanooga (1965-1973).

At his retirement in 2009 he was Assistant District Attorney over Child Support Enforcement of the 17th Judicial District (TN) covering four counties, where his district was commended repeatedly for outstanding service for Child Support.

During his career in Chattanooga he was a member of the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis International and the Jaycees, who honored him as the Chattanooga Young Man of the Year 1966, and he was named one of four Tennessee Outstanding Young Men of the Year 1966. His many

civic activities include Director (1965-71), Vice-President (1968), President (1969-71) of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Community Action Program, Inc.; President of Chattanooga Young Democrats Club; Executive Committee and Director, Metropolitan Council for Community Services (1970-75); Moderator of local TV program titled “Junior Chamber Questions of the Week;” Mayor’s Bi-Racial Committee (1962-70). He served as President, Good Government League (1965-67); Chairman of Hamilton County Democrats Board; Vice-President, Chattanooga Jaycees (1966); Secretary, Chattanooga Little Theatre (1964-75); Director, Chattanooga Opera Association (1971-75); Chairman of the March of Dimes Advanced Gifts Committee (1972); President, The Baylor School Alumni Association (1974); Trustee of The Baylor School (1974); President, Franklin (TN) Businessmen’s Club (1976-80). He served as Secretary of the Friends of the Chattanooga Public Library. In 1962 he was campaign coordinator for Congressman James B. Frazier’s 3rd Congressional District Political Campaign. In 1971 he ran unsuccessfully in a close race for Mayor of Chattanooga, but was pleased with the endorsement of the Chattanooga Times, and the fact that the race was conducted at the highest level expected of public servants.

As a youth he served in ministry in various capacities at Northside Presbyterian Church (Chattanooga), and preached in small churches while attending Vanderbilt. Later he served on the Vestry at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chattanooga and as Chancellor of the Hamilton County Episcopal Commission. He served as lay reader, assistant Sunday school teacher and President of the Layman’s Service League. He was board member and legal counsel of St. Barnabus Nursing Homes, Inc. He was a delegate to the Annual Convention of the Diocese of Tennessee, and served as youth advisor of the Chattanooga District.

On a lighter side he participated in numerous plays at the Chattanooga Little Theatre and was voted a “Miss Annie” award in 1969 for best actor in a supporting role. “There was Mitchell Crawford, the only actor we know who can get a laugh by simply opening the door and walking through it,” wrote Chattanooga Times Critic Marianne Ozmer, 1972.
He was noted for his love of country music, and served as legal counsel for various country music stars while in Nashville.

His love for his fellowman was evident, his legacy runs deep, and he is remembered with deepest affection. Special thanks and appreciation are extended to his caregiver, co-worker, and good friend Sabrina Adams and her son Jay.

A Service of Resurrection and internment will be held Saturday January 7, 2012 at 12 noon (CST) at St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church, 110 Washington Street, Fayetteville, Tennessee 37334, with the Reverend Julie Anna Johnson officiating. A shared meal for family, friends and loved ones will follow the service at the church.

Memorials may be made to The Alzheimer Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10001, The American Heart Association, 1101 Northchase Parkway, Marietta, Georgia 30067, or St. Mary Magdalene Church.