Obituary of Layton Cole Crawford

On Saturday, September 22, 2018, Layton Cole Crawford, loving husband,

passed away at the young age of 26.

Layton was born on January 22, 1992 in West Monroe, LA to Sylvia and Greg

Crawford. He was raised in true Southern fashion by two devoted parents who made him into the truly special man he was. He grew up in a small community where he left an immense impression. After high school, Layton went on to earn his mechanical engineering degree from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston in 2015. It was there that he met his darlin’ Amanda in 2012. After college, Layton decided to head east, to the little town of Columbia, TN where he used his degree to work and his Southern charm to bless the people he met.  About a year later, Layton finally asked his darlin’ to be his wife, and on November 4, 2017, he married Amanda Clare Simoneaux.

To know Layton was to know joy. Everything he did, whether it was driving home from work or line dancing with strangers, was filled with a love for life that could not be explained. He had a passion and a gift for knowing people, and he expressed it by telling them colorful stories, cooking for them, and singing to them, among other things. Acquaintances did not stay so for long, for after only moments Layton found the connection between them and had begun a conversation with his newfound, dearly important friend. By the end of the evening, the new friend would likely be found humming an old Conway Twitty or Hank Jr. song on their way home, with plans to come over tomorrow night for a homemade burger, all thanks to their best pal, Layton.

Layton’s passion, of course, extended itself to hobbies of all sorts. As a man from the country, Layton enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially with his dad. When away, he longed for time with his family and made it a priority to make time for them. Taking road trips and finding new adventures was something Layton would always look forward to. His beloved Amanda made an animal-lover out of him, and as his heart grew, so did the number of foster animals invited into their home and the number of hours spent volunteering at animal shelters. His favorite pastime, though, was the time he spent at the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital where he and his faithful companion, Jordan, visited children, again using Layton’s gift to lift spirits. Jordan was but one of the four dogs Layton and Amanda adopted. The other three, Kayanna, Kingsley, and Keys, were also cherished and spoiled by Layton, along with a friendly feline, Pierre.

Layton’s spirit is not one that can ever be forgotten or replaced, but the investments of love he made in those he knew will continue to bless others. Even after he passed away he made an impact on 100 extra lives of people he didn’t even know by donating his tissue. We rejoice knowing that he is now in a place of eternal joy, and we look forward to seeing him again.

Layton will be lovingly remembered by his wife Amanda; by his parents, Sylvia

and Greg Crawford; by his sister, Holly Gibbs and husband, Jonathan; by his brother, John Charrier and by his nieces and nephews: Eli and Case Gibbs, and Eli Charrier and grandparents, Wayne and Christa Coates and Robert Flacy.

Layton will also be remembered by his aunts and uncles: Kimberly Crawford, Vicki and Gerald Mitchell, Gerald Jr. and Cindie Crawford, Bill and Kim Crawford, Patricia and DK Alford, and Boomer and Dee Coates; great aunt, Gerda McGuire and 25 first cousins.

Grieving his absence also are his parents-in-law, Laura and Kirk Simoneaux; brothers-in-law: Bradlee Simoneaux and wife, Kelley and Taylor Simoneaux; nieces and nephews: Wheeler and Mary Brooks Simoneaux; grandmother, Emrey Harp; aunts and uncles: Susan Harp and Madeline and Bo Bienvenu.

Layton is preceded in death by his grandmother, Sue Evans Flacy; grandfather, Gerald Crawford; and uncle, Matt Coates.

Pallbearers are Jason Bearden, Troy Coates, John Charrier, Gareth Gengenbach, Jonathan Gibbs, Bradlee Simoneaux, Taylor Simoneaux, and Jonathan Ware.

Honorary Pallbearers are Nick Allen, John Wesley Brockner, Robb Gentry, Jordan Laffoon, Lance Reeves, JJ Smith, and Cody Thompson.

Visitation will be held from 10 o’clock in the morning until 2 o’clock in the afternoon on September 28, 2018 at Life Church of Columbia in Columbia, LA with the service begining at 2 PM and graveside following at Columbia Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following organizations:

Williamson County Animal Center

106 Claude Yates Drive

Franklin, TN 37064

Noah’s Ark Society

4012 Hillsboro Pike

Nashville, TN 37215

Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital

2200 Children’s Way

Nashville, TN 37232

Save a Shelter Dog

www.gofundme.com/save-a-shelter-dog