David Finley Crawford

David Finley Crawford passed away peacefully on December 30, 2023. He was
Born in Hillsboro Oregon on October 18, 1949. He lived in the Mist and Birkenfeld
area most of his life. He attended Mist Elementary and graduated from Vernonia
High school in 1968. Since his high school years, he was known for his love of cars
and as a talented mechanic. He owned and operated an auto repair shop,
Nehalem Automotive, in Mist.
He met the love of his life, Mary Louise Stitzel, and they were married in Vernonia
on November 1, 1980. The wedding date was probably not well thought out
because the night before was Halloween. So in lieu of a rehearsal dinner, the
wedding party took all the kids trick or treating.
His hobbies included reading, four wheeling, camping, traveling and photography.
His love for books has been passed on to his children and grandchildren. His
travels and photography took him across the world. He truly enjoyed traveling
through France where his father served in World War II. He followed the same
routes from Normandy and Omaha Beaches into Paris as his father did years
before. In Scotland, he reconnected with his mother’s roots. He also traveled to
Bahamas, Canada, Mexico, England, China, and across the US to visit many of the
National Parks. He took thousands of pictures to document his travels and good
times with his family and friends.
A big part of his professional live was during the time he volunteered as a
firefighter at the Mist Birkenfeld RFPD where he served in various leadership
roles. He accepted the Fire Chief position in 1986 until retirement in 2013. His
leadership style helped the department gain financial stability, attract more
volunteers helped obtain grants for a new fire station and new equipment. He
was a big believer in professionalism through education and training. He was
awarded the title of Executive Fire Officer from the National Fire academy in
2006. Because he wanted to control the cost of maintenance of the fire
equipment, he became certified as an Emergency Vehicle Technician. After
retirement he continued to volunteer in an administrative role and on the board
of directors. He was also a member of the Oregon Fire Mechanic’s Association,
Columbia Emergency Management and Columbia County 911.
He is survived by his wife Mary Louise of Kalama Washington, his daughters
Jacquline Crawford of Medford, Mary Anna Crawford of Cannon Beach, Terri Baier

of Astoria, Tanya Wammack of Jewell-Elsie, and son David (DJ) Crawford of
Kalama Washington, his eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Also
surviving are his brothers Charles Crawford of Clatskanie, Norman Crawford of St.
Helen’s, and John Crawford of Roseberg. He will be missed by all including his
three beloved cats Merri, Pippen, and Spitfire.
Preceded in death are his mother and father Mary and David, and his brother
Leon (Rocky) Crawford.