Marshall Heard Crawford

Marshall Heard Crawford died peacefully in his home, surrounded by family, on Sunday, February 9th, 2025. He lived as he died, simply and quietly with dignity and a deep abiding faith. Marshall was born on August 12,1933 in Midland, Texas to loving parents Lela Mary Heard and Marshall Holloway Crawford. He was their eldest son, and enjoyed a wonderful childhood with his older sister, Camilla Jane, and younger brother Felix William. In 1942 he moved with his family from Midland to Lamesa, Texas where he graduated from Lamesa High School in 1952 as an accomplished student and athlete. Marshall then accepted a full football scholarship to Rice Institute where he was a highly regarded receiver and tight end. While at Rice, he earned conference honors and a spot in the College Football Encyclopedia as the Owl’s leading receiver (a distinction in print that one of his grandson’s later discovered and loved sharing with his friends). He was elected captain of the Rice Owls his senior year and particularly enjoyed the memory of playing in Rice’s iconic Cotton Bowl victory in 1954 against Alabama. His years on the football field provided him with many wonderful friendships and valuable life lessons. Also during his time at Rice, he was accepted into the Marine Corps PLC Leadership Program in Quantico, Virginia where he served during the summers of 1953 and 1954.

Upon graduation from Rice in 1956, Marshall began his career in the Insurance business, working for American General. In 1957 he married his beloved wife, Rosslyn, and while living in Austin they welcomed their first two children, Marshall Holloway and Keith Ross. After returning to Houston in 1962, two more children, Alicia Skiff and Matthew Starbuck, were born to complete the Crawford clan. In 1968, Marshall was chosen to open an office for John L. Wortham in Dallas and the family relocated there for a year. Moving back to Houston in 1969, he opened Crawford, Harrison, Pratka & Associates Insurance Agency. In 1975, he joined Adams & Porter as a Marine Oil and Gas broker, enjoying almost 20 years with his colleagues until the agency was sold to Aon. Upon the sale of Adams & Porter, he opened his own agency until his retirement. The insurance business took him to London and Scandinavia many times, and as a member of Lloyd’s of London, he made lasting professional and personal friendships. Often combining business and pleasure, he and Rosslyn loved the adventure of traveling and exploring the world together. Sharing that love of travel with their children and grandchildren created many cherished memories.

Marshall loved being a part of his children’s activities, coaching many of his sons’ football and baseball teams and daughter, Alicia’s, softball teams. His quiet, yet strong, leadership touched many young lives. He was stoic and a man of few words, but when he spoke, people listened. He knew exactly who he was and never felt the need to impress for the sake of public opinion – he simply wanted to live an exemplary life and quietly encourage that in others.

Quail and dove hunting were lifelong passions for him, starting with his time in the fields alongside his father and continuing through cherished moments at his hunting camp in Falfurrias, surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and friends. He had a deep love for the outdoors, and his knowledge of nature was a gift he shared. At the end of each day, Marshall was drawn to the sunset, as it served as a reminder of the beauty of God’s creation.

The great joy of his retirement years was time spent at the Crawford vacation home that he and Rosslyn built on the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas. The grandchildren especially loved raiding his stash of chocolates, pistachios, and “Papa juice” (CranGrape) in the Hunt kitchen, as well as floating the river with him while he took his daily raft siesta tethered to his favored Cypress tree along the bank. He had a spiritual connection with the waters of the Guadalupe, and his vision, generosity and hospitality made it a gathering place that fed many souls with pleasure, comfort and shared memories through the years.

Marshall is preceded in death by his parents, Lela Mary and Marshall Crawford; his siblings, Camilla and Felix, and beloved daughter, Alicia Crawford Kirkland, who was forever in his heart.

He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Rosslyn Fennekohl Crawford and their cherished sons, Marshall II, Keith and his wife Sally, Matthew and his wife Sara; his 11 adored grandchildren, Marshall Holloway Crawford III and his wife Ann Kathryn, Katherine Ross Kirkland, Mary Rodman Crawford Echols and her husband John, Keith Ross Crawford, Jr. and his wife Sarah, Cameron Key Crawford, Carling Wallace Crawford, Pierce Wales Kirkland, Matthew Starbuck Crawford, Jr., John Christian Crawford, Randall McRary Crawford, Molly Coffin Crawford; and great-grandson, Marshall Holloway Crawford IV.

A Private Family Memorial Service will be held at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston to celebrate a life well lived.