Crawford Ervin Wilks

Chester: Crawford Ervin Wilks, 58, died Thursday, August 9, 2012 at home surrounded by family and friends.A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, August 11 at Calvary Baptist Church 760 Calvary Church Road with Rev. David Sealy officiating.The interment will be in the church cemetery.The family will receive friends, Friday, August 10, 2012 from 6:00 PM to 8:00PM at Barron Funeral Home. Mr. Wilks was born August 27, 1953 in Chester County, South Carolina.He was the son of Hazel Hampton Wilks and the late Fred Ervin Wilks.He was married to the love of his life, Brenda Lindsey Wilks for 39 years. He graduated with honors from Chester High School and served in the Army National Guard.Mr. Wilks owned and operated Wilks Logging and was presented the “SC Timber Association 2005 Logger Activist Award” and continued to have a lead role in the Association’s District 3.In 2009, Mr. Wilks was named “Outstanding Logger of the Year” by the SC Forestry Association.He was a member of theAmerican Loggers Council.He and his brother Terry worked to build a walking trail and park at Chester Park Complex, cleared part of the Baton Rouge Park, the future site of West Chester Fire Department new substation and many projects for Calvary Baptist Church.He participated in the SC Teacher Tour and Bowater’s Sustainable Forestry Teacher Education Program to inform the public about timber harvesting. Mr. Wilks was dedicated to providing a safe working environment and fair and impartial support for his employees. Mr. Wilks was a member of Sandy River Masonic Lodge #207. He was a dedicated Christian and member of Calvary Baptist Church where he served as Chairman of the Deacons for over 15 years. He supported and helped to fund various projects for his church, especially the youth. He was a generous man who enjoyed helping his community and those in need.He supported “Christmas in Downtown Chester” with the light displays.Wilks Logging sponsored many youth league teams. He was a dedicated family man who adored his wife, loved his children, and was an amazing “PaPa” to his grandchildren.He was a devoted son and an excellent role model for his family and community. In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Jason and Tonya Wilks of Chester; a daughter and son-in-law, Paige and J. Wriley McKeown of Charlotte; three grandsons, J.Wriley McKeown, Jr. and William Crawford “Ford” McKeown of Charlotte and John Crawford Wilks of Chester; and two granddaughters, Emma Kate McKeown of Charlotte and Caroline Elizabeth Wilks of Chester. He is also survived by two brothers and their wives, Terry and Linda Wilks and Roger and Harriet Wilks; and one sister, Donna Wilks Railey, all of Chester. In addition, he is survived by his in-laws, Jerry and Joyce Greenwood of Chester, a sister-in-law and her husband, Jan and Dennis Miller of Tega Cay, a brother-in-law and his wife, Jerry and Noelle Greenwood of Chester, and life-long friends, Earl and Linda Carter of Chester.He also leaves nieces, nephews, extended family, friends, employees and business associates to rejoice in his home-going, but grieve for their loss. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, Missions or Children’s Fund, 610 Calvary Church Road, Chester, SC 29706 or Hospice Care of South Carolina, 179 Columbia Street, Chester, SC 29706. The family would like to thank Hospice Care of SC, especially Judy Faust and Linda Smith, for their dedication and care. Online condolences for the family can be made at www.barronfuneralhome.com.