In Memoriam: Clan Crawford Jr.

Clan Crawford Jr., a life member of the Washtenaw County Bar Association, died June 6.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Crawford served in the U.S. Navy 1944-1946 before receiving his bachelor's degree from Oberlin College in 1948.

He then moved to Ann Arbor to attend law school and after receiving his J.D. in 1952, practiced in Ann Arbor for more than 40 years.

From 1955-1957 he served as First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney of Washtenaw County.

Later he became a specialist in zoning law authoring three books on the subject. “Michigan Zoning and Planning”, first published in 1965, was the authoritative resource on the topic for many years and Crawford continued to update it until he retired. He also wrote numerous articles on zoning law and frequently lectured on the subject.

He served as the chairman of two zoning committees in separate sections of the American Bar Association. His interest in land use matters included being a member of the steering committee for ENACT, an environmental change teach-in that coincided with the first Earth Day in 1970.

He was also a member of the first board of directors of Scenic America, a Washington, D.C. based organization opposed to highway billboards.

Crawford served on the Ann Arbor City Council 1957-1958; and served the city as chairman of the Civic Art Committee 1962-1965. He chaired the Ann Arbor Sesquicentennial Beautification Committee 1973-1974, served as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals1973-1976, Historic District Commission 1976-1981, Cablecasting Commission 1981-1986 and Airport Advisory Committee.

Crawford was predeceased by his wife Alice and his son Peter; he is survived by his son Lloyd (Suzanne), and son, David, (Jody) and three grandsons.