The Michigan inland lakes management and conservation communities have lost one of their most generous and personable friends. Michigan Lake and Stream Associations mourns the loss of Gary Crawford who passed away on Tuesday, October 30th, 2012 after a brief battle with cancer. Gary, who possessed a Master of Science degree in aquatic biology, worked as an inland lakes management consultant with Environmental Consulting and Technologies, Inc. of Ann Arbor. His generosity, kindness and love for his family, for his work and for his colleagues, served as an inspiration for us all.
Gary was married to Janine Barker Crawford and they have three children, Joshua, Benjamin and Charis. Gary was a Worship Pastor at Christian Love Fellowship Ministries International in Ypsilanti, Michigan. He was a gifted worshipper, teacher, mentor, singer and songwriter for many popular gospel groups.
Often partnering with limnologist Dr. Doug Pullman of Aquest Corporation, the two co-authored several articles regarding Starry Stonewort, an invasive macro-algae first observed in a Michigan inland lake by Gary and Doug in 2005. Always happy to devote his personal time to educating our members about the importance of individual stewardship, Gary was a speaker at the 51st Annual Conference at Boyne Mountain in April of 2012 and at the Michigan Chapter, North American Lake Management Society’s annual conference in September 2011.
The entire Michigan Lake and Stream Associations extended family offers heart felt condolences to Gary’s family, friends and colleagues.