Joe T. "Tunkin" Crawford, Jr.

Private family graveside services for Joe T. “Tunkin” Crawford, Jr., 60, of Lufkin will be held at Pollok Cemetery. A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at Jimmy’s Bar (Texas Wild Child).

Joe was born July 24, 1964 in Lufkin, Texas to the late Barbara (Stephens) and Joe Thomas Crawford, Sr., and died Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at his residence.

If you know me, I’ve always been proud to be a Crawford. The good, the bad and the ugly. I was proud to carry my daddy’s last name. I’m the first and only daughter. So naturally, I’m the finest young man he could have asked for.

My daddy was my first fishing partner. I even outfished him once with a Mickey Mouse fishing pole. He loved to tell that story. I can remember fishing with him and my brother on his bass boat often.

If you rode with him in the car, you probably know about the “who sings this” game. I can tell you almost every 90’s country song’s name and who it was sung by because of that game. My daddy is the root of my love for music. Hearing him sing and play the guitar are some of my most coveted memories. Bonner Road has my heart.

He loved me. He loved Tanner. He loved all of his and Stephanie’s grandbabies. He loved Stephanie. He loved my bonus siblings. He loved his nieces and nephews. He loved the guitar. He loved the Dallas Cowboys. He loved his brothers. He loved popcorn. He loved The Andy Griffith Show. He loved Matt Haak and Pat McAdams. He loved all of his friends. He loved a good steak. He almost made the best steaks. He loved his scratch off tickets. He loved a good Coors light. He missed his parents something fierce. He was proud of us. He never missed an opportunity to tell me how proud he was at the caliber of woman I have become.

My daddy thrived on stage. I can’t think of one person who has seen him perform that wasn’t quickly impressed. He knew how to perform and was a natural. If social media was around in his prime, I have no doubt he would have gone big time. He met some of his lifelong friends through music. I have his old calendars that show what days he played at each place. Jimmy’s was the first weekend of every month. There were days for Goat Hill, Silver Dollar, Seven Oaks, Ricks, and all of the old “spots”. I often sat at the bar top with the bartenders and had Shirley Temples while my daddy performed. I was in Jimmy’s before I was in middle school. He learned to play the guitar in three weeks. Not many can say that. Fun fact: I cut my teeth on one of his guitars.

We ask that you wear your best 90’s attire. Starched jeans, button up or pearl snap shirts, cowboy hats and boots for the men. No formal black. That wasn’t my daddy.

Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Erika and Bryant Chauvin of Lufkin; son and daughter-in-law, Tanner and Breanna Crawford of Lufkin; fiancée, Stephanie Matthews of Lufkin; grandchildren, Hudson Harris, Blaine Slomba, Jordyn Chauvin, Ellie Jean Chauvin, Maverick Crawford, Kayden Linton-Collins, Braylen Sterling, and Madison Nerren; brothers and sister-in-law, Kevin and Rebecca Crawford of Lufkin and Stephen Harrison of Etoile; nephew, Christopher Harrison of Lufkin; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by parents and brother, Kit Harrison.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.