Aaron David Crawford, 57, of Valrico, Florida (formerly of Vanceburg), passed away January 1, 2026, in Georgia while returning home from a family vacation, after the most courageous and hard-fought nearly three-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
Aaron David Crawford was born on November 10, 1968, in Portsmouth, Ohio, a son of Arnold and Delilah Crawford. Aaron was the baby of two sons, sharing life with his older brother, Anthony. Aaron grew up in Vanceburg, spending time on his family’s tobacco farm and driving through the hills, which he often spoke of fondly.
Aaron graduated from Lewis County High School in 1987. He was a member of several school clubs, including the academic superbowl team, which won the conference championship for the first time in school history. He was an active member of the choir and band, playing first trumpet in all the school’s ensembles.
Aaron’s passion for music continued as he studied music marketing at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) and joined Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Omicron Psi Chapter. Aaron attended EKU in Richmond from 1987 to 1992 and graduated with a BA in music merchandising. He used his degree working at Stanton’s Sheet Music in Columbus, Ohio, for many years. Aaron later graduated from DeVry University in Columbus in 2000 with a BS in information technology.
Aaron married Lauren on September 23, 2006, in Columbus, Ohio, and they welcomed sons in 2010 and 2013. Aaron was a playful and devoted dad, always there to support his boys in every possible way.
Aaron began a long career with JPMorgan Chase in 2008 after moving to Tampa, Florida. He served in various roles with Chase, including IT business analyst, applications developer, software engineer, scrum master, and most recently, product development manager. He was loved and respected by his co-workers and managers.
Left to honor his memory are his mother, Delilah Crawford of Vanceburg; his wife, Lauren Crawford ; his sons, Liam Arnold Crawford (15) and Henry Ellis Crawford (12) of Valrico, Florida; his father-in-law, Kurt Bertschinger, and mother-in-law, Renee Ristow, of Apollo Beach, Florida; and many relatives, Lauren’s relatives, colleagues, fraternity brothers, friends, his boys’ friends whom he loved like his own, and his cat and home office mate, Vincenzo “Vinny.”
Aaron was preceded in death by his father, Arnold Crawford; his brother, Anthony Crawford; and his grandparents.
A Celebration of Life service will be held in Aaron’s honor on Saturday, February 21, at 11:00 a.m. at Limona Village Chapel United Methodist Church, 408 Limona Road, Brandon, Florida 33510. A lunch reception will be held in the church’s Fellowship Hall immediately following the service.
A second service will be held Saturday, March 21, at Dickerson Funeral Home, 158 East Second Street, Vanceburg, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., with graveside services immediately following.
All are welcome to come celebrate Aaron’s life and mourn his passing that came far too soon.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Liam and Henry’s college funds in honor of Aaron’s commitment to his sons and their future.
Condolences may be sent at www.globefamilyfc.com.
