Isaiah "Choke" Crawford, Jr. was a gentle, firm, relent-less giant. It is fitting that he lived most of his adult life on Shepherd Lane; for he was a shepherd to many.

Isaiah Crawford, Jr., son of the late Isaiah Crawford, Sr. and Inez Copeland Crawford, was born in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, September 12, 1929. In 1931, he relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio with his parents. He is preceded in death by his wife, Jeanette to whom he was married over 50 years. After graduating from Wyoming High School, he enlisted in the United States Army from which he received an Honorable Discharge after serving in the Korean War. Like his mother and father, he loved to share his wisdom with his humorous and perceptive insights about the world situation.

Choke Crawford is a legend in Lincoln Heights.

HE MET NO STRANGER. He was one of the most generous persons you could ever meet. He always had plenty for his family, his friends, and folk he did not even know. So many express gratitude for his untold acts of generosity and kindness.

Isaiah, known by his contemporaries as Choke, was an enterprising man, as he, his parents and his brother, Bobby Crawford, Sr. were owners of Crawford's Pony Keg and Motel and the CLC Lounge. After a brief stint at General Electric Aerospace (back in the day General Electric Aircraft Engines), he became self employed. In addition to the pony keg and motel, he owned Club AWOL. As long as he was in good health, he could be found working his booth at the annual Labor Day celebra-tion of Lincoln Heights history. He also followed in his father's footsteps with his cardboard recycling business. A positive forward thinking man, his optimism was ever present.

It seems as if he never rested. When most of us saw him, he was busy, working or helping someone in need. He could be seen working around the motel and pony keg (his mother's best fried chicken and metts ever), working on cars and trucks, driving his truck to collect cardboard or to help someone in need. Although he was not a licensed mechanic, he could often be seen with his head under someone's car or truck. After Choke had solved the problem, the customer left with a smile because the vehicle had been repaired, and the price was great. Often, the charge was nothing.

HOBBIES. An excellent photographer, in his younger days, he purchased a number of cameras. He documented many family functions, probably some of your weddings. He instilled his love for photography by purchasing cameras for some of his children who are life long photo enthusiasts. His love of poetry is evidenced by the book of poetry that was on his nightstand.

Politically, he was active in the Lincoln Heights and Hamilton County Democratic Party, at one point serving as president and treasurer of the party. In addition, he was a productive board member of the Community Action Agency. He, along with his cousins, then Mayor James Lowry and Arybie Rose, was instrumental in the 1970 decision of those in power to give Lincoln Heights children their rightful seats in the Princeton City School District. As a result of his substantive work with the party, he and Lois Perry were chosen to  represent Lincoln Heights at a private luncheon hosted by then Senator John Biden campaigning for Barack Obama  to become the first African American President of the United States of America.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Renee and sons, David, Christopher, Lamar, Roderick and Rickey. His survivors are: sons, Robert (Veronica), Gary (Meredith), Tyrone (Patricia), James H. (Jimmy), James L. (Jimbo), Maurice, Charles (Butch), Gregory (Phyllis), Antoine and Charles (Gus); daughters, Beverly (Gilbert), Antonia (James), Loretta, Robin (Roderic), Vanessa, Juana, Tara (Derrick) and Shana; sister-in-law, Lois Crawford; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

"This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."  — Psalm 118:24

"There was Pop and Mom Crawford, Isaiah, Bobby Crawford, Sr. and many of the Crawford Muldrow family that have made significant contributions to Lincoln Heights. PERIOD. I will say that the Crawford name should have a brochure, block, park, building or street named after them.  That nice, new, little street they put in down there that runs through the Crawford property would be ideal as CRAWFORD WAY." ERNIE MCCOWAN, JR.,  RETIRED CHIEF OF POLICE AND FIRE OF THE VILLAGE OF LINCOLN HEIGHTS.