D. Crawford Gallimore of Pawleys Island, SC and Murfreesboro, TN passed into the loving arms of his Savior on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at his home in Murfreesboro, TN.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Nancy (McClain) Gallimore, his son Whit Gallimore and fiancée Rovena Llapri of Nolensville, grandchildren, Sara Beth, Jackson and Reed Gallimore of Franklin, TN; daughter Katharine Gallimore Lane, son-in-law Dr. Jim Ed Lane and granddaughters, Libi and Ansley of Murfreesboro, TN. He is also survived by his brother Dale (Carol) Gallimore of Paris, TN; nieces, Lori and Amy; Nephew, LJ Perry; great-nephews Kyle and Justin Perry; sister Ann McGowan.
He was blessed with numerous extra family he "adopted" over his years as a dad figure and mentor to so many young people, especially Stuart Wallace of Nashville, TN, Libi and Allen Riggs of Memphis, TN; and his extra "grandchildren" Miller Riggs (Brooke) and Ellie Riggs Wildman (Henry).
He also leaves behind his beloved companion black lab, June Cleaver, better known as Junie or Junebug, they walked many a mile on his favorite beach, Pawleys Island.

Crawford was the son of Dorris and Centralia Crawford Gallimore. He was born on a Sunday, April 24, 1949, on the family tobacco and dairy farm in Henry County near Puryear, Tennessee. He grew up milking cows, doing farm chores, raising tobacco by hand, helping with the gardening. He was one of the few remaining men who grew up plowing behind a mule. He never had a heated bedroom until he spent his first night as a UTM freshman in his dorm room. He attended Puryear School, graduating with the class of 1967, at Puryear High, lettering in basketball and baseball.
Graduating from the University of Tennessee at Martin with a BS in Business and Marketing, class of 1971, He was member of Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity- whose motto was "business before pleasure". He seemed to take that as his personal motto as his work ethic was unmatched.
Crawford inherited a raw musical ability, though never receiving musical training he honed his skills and his voice to start a band with his "like a brother" Cousin Byron. They played together over many years, becoming accomplished guitarist and vocalist. To pay for college he worked at various jobs from the band gigs to running a clay pit pulverizer, to dorm counselor, selling insurance and being the business manager of the UTM newspaper. He never forgot those skills and taught many a teen how to waterski at his lake house on Kentucky Lake, where he was famous for his lake burgers, steaks and ribs.

Crawford and Nancy raised their family in Martin, Tennessee on a farm they nickname "Hound Farm" because he loved the country but never wanted to raise anything else besides children and dogs. Eventually the innate nature of farming took over, and he became known for his vegetable gardening skills and his hybrid tea roses. Many a party and bridal tea were graced by his prize-winning rose blooms, and he would gladly deliver a bouquet along with sack of tomatoes, peppers and corn. His children and wife were his most important interests. He loved quail hunting, raising bird dogs, and duck and goose hunting with his son. He was a natural born family man but hated the discipline aspect. His children are still waiting for some lectures and punishment he promised they would get "in the morning". He coached little league, attended football, soccer, baseball, and cheerleading competitions. He loved youth and worked with UMYF, the administrative board and the board of trustees at Martin First Methodist church. He attended The Father's House in Pawleys Island. After his family and his Lord Jesus, he loved the Hamilton Ryker Company, a business that he and his partner Wayne McCreight began on a shoestring and grew to a multistate, multi-level organization over 55 years. Crawford served as president at the Martin Rotary Club, honored as a Paul Harris Fellow there. He was active in the state business organizations serving among many others, as chairman of both the TN Small Business Roundtable, TN Chamber of Commerce, and the leadership of numerous other business and professional associations.

He was honored to be named by Governor Bredesen to the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees. He was one of the very few members to be appointed by governors of both political parties, serving a second term when reappointed by Governor Haslam. His expertise as chairman of the Audit committee made his service invaluable. He served on the board for over 10 years (and wanted everyone who thought otherwise to know the NO, the board DOES NOT hire the football coach). When he moved to Murfreesboro out of his appointment district and the board transitioned to a smaller format, He was asked to remain on the Audit committee as an outside member to assure a smooth transition. He remained in that capacity until illness prevented him from continuing. From his first warm bed at college to his payback with service and pay it forward with the Hamilton Ryker Scholarship, Crawford has loved the University of Tennessee and what it helped him to accomplish with his life. In his semi-retirement and later years Crawford became a golf devotee, traveling the world playing golf on historic and beautiful golf courses. He chased the ever-elusive hole in one, "close but no cigar" he would say. He was a member of Stone River Country Club in Murfreesboro, TN, Pawleys Plantation Country Club, and The Caledonia Golf and Fish Club in Pawleys Island. Crawford loved history and reading. He was a student of his Bible, and loved C.S. Lewis. He was most happy sitting on the porch of his house on Pawleys Island, watching the marsh change with the sunset after a good morning with loved ones to whom he served his "Crawbucks lattes", a great afternoon of golf, and awaited a family dinner with as many friends and family as he could gather around. He felt blessed to have them in his life and they all were blessed by his love and generosity. Crawford had a gentlemanly presence, a quiet dignity, humble wisdom, a kind nature, a good spirit, a sense of humor, a steadfast faith, and above all, a consistent strong work ethic. He led by example. Always a pleasure to be around, he was a positive influence who was willing to help anyone he could. His calming demeanor and common sense will be missed. He was child of God who quietly spread his faith through actions and his love.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at The First United Methodist Church in Martin.

Murphy Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. 731-587-3121

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials may be sent to:
The Hamilton- Ryker "McCreight/Gallimore" Scholarship Endowment
Gifts can be made to http://giving.utm.edu/gallimore
or you may mail a check to UT Foundation:
424 Andy Holt Humanities Bldg.
209 Hurt Street, Martin, TN 38237
For more information, please call: 731-881-7628

Alternatively donation may be made to the:
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
383 Main Avenue, 7th floor
Norwalk, CT 06851
For more information, please call 203-229-0464