In Memoriam: James Crawford
We are saddened to share that longtime Lakeland faculty member James Crawford, Ph.D., affectionally known as JC, died on December 5 with family by his side. He was 83.
Crawford was the face of Lakeland Theatre, joining the faculty in 1977 to teach theatre and speech. By the time he retired in 2007, Lakeland had staged 82 productions of full-length plays, 74 of them directed by Crawford and 58 of them designed by Crawford.
His 30-year tenure was a golden age for Lakeland Theatre, as there were also 58 one-act plays produced. The work of over 60 different playwrights was brought to Lakeland audiences.
“The whole idea of a collaborative art, an art in which many people with many diverse talents and skills can work together to create a single, completed artistic work, is one of the things that drew me to the theatre,” Crawford said in a 1987 interview with the Lakeland Mirror.
Crawford chaired the college’s theatre and speech department. His interest in Medieval studies and medieval theatre, drama and music led to the founding of Lakeland’s Early Music Ensemble early in his tenure. He later served as advisor to Lakeland’s Samurai Action Team.
He was named Professor Emeritus at the 2007 commencement ceremony, Lakeland’s highest honor for a faculty member. He was inducted into Lakeland’s prestigious Fine Arts Gallery of Distinction in 2012.
The Crawford family is part of the fabric of Lakeland. In 1983, he married the former Lucretia Hediger ’80, a fellow Lakeland faculty member who retired in 2023 and still serves the university as a co-archivist in her role as Archivist Emerita. Their son, Ramsay, graduated in 2008. JC and Lucretia were married behind the Ley Chapel in a ceremony performed by the late Rev. David Lauer, Lakeland’s chaplain.
In his final year, Lakeland staged his favorite play, Jeff Daniels’ comedy “Escanaba in Da Moonlight,” and his favorite playwright, Jane Martin’s “Flaming Guns of the Purple Sage.”
Crawford created leadership opportunities for his students. Eight productions during his time were directed by students and 24 were designed by students, as Crawford created an atmosphere where students were involved in a hands-on role from start to finish in all aspects.
“I like to let the students have their creative freedom,” Crawford said in that 1987 interview. “Oftentimes the students come up with incredible ideas.”
Crawford had a bachelor’s degree in English-creative writing and a master’s in theatre-directing and playwriting both from the University of Pittsburgh, and a doctorate in theatre and medieval studies from Indiana University. He taught at several stops before coming to Lakeland including the University of Maine and the U.S. Armed Forces Institute while serving in the U.S. Army.
The family has established the James Crawford Memorial Fund at Lakeland University and gifts will benefit the John Esch Library. Gifts can be directed to Lakeland through its website at Lakeland.edu/give. Please note James Crawford Memorial in the comments.
Following JC’s wishes, no formal services will be held. Cremation has taken place and his ashes will be interred at Immanuel Cemetery just north of Lakeland. A private Celebration of Life will take place in 2026. The family is discussing options for an informal remembrance event with Lakeland University.
Zimmer Westview Funeral and Cremation Care Center is assisting the family. For a complete obituary and to leave an online condolence, please visit www.zimmerfuneralhome.com.
