Arnold Wayne Crawford Sr., 72, of Charlottesville, Virginia, passed away on Thursday, September 5, 2024, surrounded by his family. Born on September 28, 1951, he was the son of the late William App Crawford and Helen Katherine Crawford “Big Momma”. In addition to his parents, Arnold was preceded in death by his daughter, Tammy Crawford, his brothers, Donald Crawford, Jeffery Hawley and Ricky Hawley, and his sisters, Patricia Shifflett and Lisa Shifflett.

Arnold worked for the City of Charlottesville Parks and Recreation division for 40+ years. Throughout his life he developed friendships with so many. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do for anyone, at any time, especially his family. After he retired, he kept himself busy by becoming a well-known mechanic. If anyone knows Arnold, they know he had to stay busy. Arnold had a passion for softball and drag racing.  There’s nothing he enjoyed more than watching his grandkids play ball, and working on race cars with his sons and grandsons. He passed that passion on to one of his grandsons Landon, who was always by his side. The memories of late-night ball games and loading the cars up to head to the track will forever remain in his family’s hearts. Arnold was the best husband, father, brother, uncle, paw-paw, and friend anyone could ever ask for. He was his family's rock, and number one go-to, and will be greatly missed.

Arnold is survived by his wife of 53 years, Audrey Lee Crawford; his daughter, Melissa Plumb (Tommy) of Palmyra; sons A.W. Crawford (Jessica) of Keswick, and Robbie Crawford (Stephanie) of Louisa; brothers, Charles Crawford of Dyke, Roger Crawford (Naomi) of Palmyra, John Hawley (Linda) of Kernersville, N.C., and Pete Hawley; his sisters, Doris Morris of Dyke, Mary Shifflett (Ronnie) of Dyke, Helen Craig (Tinker) of Charlottesville, Brenda Hawley, and Pearl Stout of Nelson County. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Brittany Gentry (Troy), Ashley and Julia Plumb, Savannah Gibson, Brooke Crawford, Dyllan Crawford, Christopher Deane, Landon Crawford, Logan Crawford, Madden Crawford, and Kyle Crawford; and his great-grandchildren, Blake, Brylan, Kinley, Emmy “Sweet Pea”, TJ, Waylon, and Addy.

His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, September 10, at Preddy Funeral Home in Gordonsville, Virginia with Pastor Van Crawford officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Charlottesville, Virginia. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, September 9, 2024.