Sponsored by

George Crawford Ashley

George Crawford Ashley, beloved husband of Jeanne Porter Ashley, of Concord, North Carolina, died Monday, November 25, 2002 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

A well-rounded, eternally interesting person with many dear friends, Crawford went the extra mile for everyone he came in contact with during his life. He lavished dignity and respect on all, understanding and appreciating the unique individuals we all are.

Crawford worked very hard at his career designing and fitting prosthetics (artificial limbs) for over 30 years, as well as, being a counselor to his prosthetic patients. He had a personal understanding of their challenges as he wore a leg prosthesis himself.

As hard as he worked, Crawford delighted in playing just as hard, enjoying his home and yard; fishing off his pontoon boat; playing guitar and singing to his devoted wife, Jeanne; or relishing the company of his many friends.

As the open-minded, loving man he was, Crawford participated in many new adventures. Endowed with a super perceptive mind, he believed that "Life Is For Living" and he filled his days and nights with all the available sights, sounds and tastes.

In 1999, to allow him to expand his knowledge and personal view of the impact of belief on our life choices, he became an ordained minister of the Universal Life Church. This was the perfect compliment to an already beautifully balanced and active spiritual life.

Annually, Crawford and Jeanne Ashley have assisted through "Disaster Services" and "Adopted for the Holidays" underpriviledged families from a wide variety of churches, synagogues and social service organizations in both North and South Carolina. The Salvation Army has received many of these annual gifts and were listed as an alternate to flowers for his funeral.

Crawford believed that God's love could best be shown by having an individual, personal role assisting the needy, poor or hungry. Whether helping rebuilding efforts after an earthquake in Turkey or filling boxes for the Samaritan's Purse effort at Christmas, he was deeply committed and quick to lend a supporting hand.

To that end, THE G. CRAWFORD & JEANNE P. ASHLEY ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP has been established through THE UNIVERSITY of SOUTH CAROLINA in Columbia, SC.

Crawford could often be found in some unusual places -- he received his Native American/Earth Name of Eagle Wind Walker in 2001, after a particularly eventful boating trip with other Native peoples.

He underwent hypnosis and vibrational energy therapy, including acupuncture, for his phantom leg pains; followed a ghost through dark New Orleans back alleys; filmed dolphin with his trusty camera and could be found listening to a snuff-dipping, yarn-spinner in a musty backroom on a seldom-traveled road on the East coast.

Crawford was gregarious with a dry wit and cleverness that drew a crowd. He especially was loyal and protective of those who had earned his trust and delighted in the variety and individuality of each person encountered on his life's path. He was loving, appreciative and honoring of the diversity of the cultures, creeds and races populated by his marvelous friends. Crawford was a person who truly understood the meaning of Unconditional Love and lived it to the fullest.

An agreement for organ donation to LIFE SHARE of Charlotte, NC was a natural course at the end of his physical life. His personal prosthetic (artificial) legs, shoes, crutches, leg braces and other accessories were donated to Franklin Graham's SAMARITAN'S PURSE in Boone, NC and have been shipped to Bethel Orthopaedic Hospital in Kenya will be used for adults or children in need.

Whether they met him personally, or not, Crawford Ashley continues to affect the lives of all touched by his gallant deeds, unselfish gifts and his true loving heart.

Visitation was an amazing affair with over 400 persons in attendance. Crawford's funeral service the next day was attended by 200+ friends and family members.

A celebration of his life was held in Charlotte, NC. Other private ceremonies have been held for the blessing and transition of his spirit.

In addition to being survived by his wife Jeanne, he leaves a daughter, Sherry Ashley Kowallek and son-in-law, Tom Kowallek of Florida and 2 grandchildren, Tara Smith and Chatham Smith of North Carolina.

An online guest book can be found at www.Legacy.com for any comments or wishes you might like to leave for Jeanne and the family.

Death is more universal than life; everyone dies but not everyone lives." --Alan Sachs