Bradley James Crawford was born August 20, 1969 at K. I Sawyer Air Force Base near Marquette, MI to Chester and Sally (Linn) Crawford.  He was the middle child and only brother to older sister, Sheryl, and younger sister Carrie. He lived in Sawyer his first year, the family then moved to Niagara Wisconsin, and Constantine before settling in Portage. Brad attended Portage Central High School where he made many friends.

When Brad was little, he used to get upset and would need to let it out.  He would scream in the house and his mom, not liking that, told him if he needed to scream, go outside and do it. So, he did!  He would go on the front step, scream his head off until he was done and come back in. Sally said sometimes he would come in, realize he was not done, and go back out to scream some more. This may have been the beginning of his love for Heavy Metal Music.

Brad’s passion for music was instrumental in bringing long lasting friendships in his life. Brad loved performing and had a presence on stage.  If you ever saw him, you could see he put it all out there. His band Cryonax won the Battle of the Bands in Battle Creek in 1989.  Though Heavy Metal was what he was known for, he appreciated other types of music too.  He loved the composer Edvard Grieg and the song “In the Hall of the Mountain King” and it was just as powerful to him as the metal he would listen to.  Brad was a creative soul in many respects; he was a storyteller, wrote poetry, could draw, and play music.  His writings became the lyrics to many songs for Cryonax.  Sometimes he would courageously recite his pieces at big life events, like weddings and funerals.

As a child, Brad loved rocks.  He had a rock tumbler and used it to polish stones.  His Uncle Bob gave him the start to a rock collection, including copper from the mines. He often talked about how that began his love for precious stones which ultimately turned into his career as a jeweler.  When not working, he loved grilling, camping when he was younger, and golf as he got older.  Making food was always a family celebration, as the Crawford’s understood the importance of gathering together to share more than just a good meal.  He often grilled for friends to share that love for good food.

Brad met Elizabeth (Biz) Farrell just before she moved to California.  A long-distance relationship ensued for some time and when “Biz” moved back to Michigan three years later, their relationship rekindled. Brad asked her to marry him and they were united on July 17, 1999. He raised her son Ty like his own child. Together they had two more beautiful children Allani and Brady.

Brad leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Elizabeth; children, Ty Checchi-Crawford, Allani Crawford, and Brady Crawford; loving parents, Chet and Sally Crawford; his sisters, Carrie (Matt) Walker, Sheryl (Mark) Ritchie; nieces, Amaya, Nora, Erin, Morgan, and Shannon; father-in-law Jim Farrell; four adoring sisters-in-law, Theresa (Dennis) LaJoice, Erin Baker, Michelle (Eric) Olinger, Katie Farrell;  brother-in-law, Robert Small; uncles, Jim (Linda) Crawford, Reginald (Audry) Crawford, Rod Crawford, Ed (Donna) Linn, Chris (Marybeth) Linn; aunt, Merry Linn; many other family and friends.

He also leaves behind his dear friend, Dale (Kate) Johnson.  Dale and Brad shared many wonderful memories, raised their kids together, and supported each other’s dreams. The family would like to thank Dale and Kate for so closely sharing the intimate moments of his last week on earth.  Brad and Dale shared such a special bond, and it was truly a blessing to have Dale there through Brad’s last moments. The family is eternally grateful and humbled by this blessing. Brad was preceded in passing by his mother-in-law, Dawn Farrell; uncles, Bob Linn, Kenny Linn, Harold “Jiggs” Linn, Tom Crawford.