Nels Thomas Crawford, 65, of Drexel, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 4, 2025, at the Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, MO. A Memorial Mass was held  on Friday, April 11, 2025, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Harrisonville, MO. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Lucky 13 Dog Rescue, 119 W Gregory Blvd, #7907, Kansas City, MO 64114.

Nels was born on September 3, 1959, in Madrid, Spain, a son of Richard Gene and Shirley Mae (Smith) Crawford. Nels father, Richard, was a Chief Master Sargeant in the Air Force, and the family lived all over the world at various Air Forces Bases, settling in the Grandview, MO, area after retirement. Nels had served in the US Army Military Police after high school. He lived in several places, including Hawaii, and made lasting friends wherever he was.

Nels was united in marriage to Donna Clayton on October 4, 2003, in Harrisonville at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, and they made their home together in Drexel for over 21 years. Nels was a maintenance engineer and worked for Black & Veatch in Overland Park, KS, for 35 years, retiring in 2024. He liked to refer to himself as the "chair"-man of Black and Veatch, as his primary function there was the maintenance and assembly of all the chairs. He was a faithful member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Harrisonville. Everyone that met Nels always said the same thing: "He was a gentle, humble, and sweet person." He loved people and always found the good in all. He also loved his rescue dogs and they loved him back. He will be missed.

Nels was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters: Patricia Crawford and Tamara Wendel. He is survived by his wife, Donna Crawford, Drexel, MO; four step-sons: Cory Clayton, Adrian, MO; Cale (Alicia) Clayton of Drexel, MO; Chase (Christie) Clayton of Grandview, MO; and Chris (Noel) Clayton of Adrian, MO; a step-daughter, Crystal (Joe) Gunnels of Drexel, MO; a brother, Eric Crawford of Harrisonville, MO; three sisters: Susan (James) Larrabee of Lee's Summit, MO; Kristin Crawford of Springfield, IL; and Mary (Myles) Willett of Venice, Florida; niece, Nathalie (Tim) Smith; nephew, Alan (Jennifer) Larrabee; numerous great-nieces, great-nephews, and other relatives and friends.