Loma Linda's renaissance man by R. David Rynearson History tells of a distinct era of European existence called the renaissance. The renaissance was not only a canvas of time that was painted by Classic artistic and architectural styles, but was also a time of scientific inquiry, geographical exploration and service to humanity. The period was punctuated by a time of economic distress which gave rise to the indomitable human spirit in the form of creative genius and the concept of the "universal man." History records threads of human events that are reminiscent of the renaissance. On May 27, 1930, during a time of economic depression, James M. Crawford was born in Chico, California to a family with six other children. Jim's ancestors exhibited the geographical exploration spirit as evidenced by his maternal grandmother as a child having walked across the plains from Missouri to California! In a similar vein, the early years of Jim's childhood were spent in various towns along the Pacific Northwest, as his father was a prominent itinerant builder of fine churches and houses. When Jim was twelve years old, his family moved to St. Helena, California, where they resided until his father's work there was completed. Young Jim decided that he wanted to stay in St. Helena and continue his education at the Pacific Union College Prep School. During these years he worked as bell hop, waiter and cook for the St. Helena Sanitarium.   Fran and Jim Crawford in 1950.   Being adventurous, Jim decided to attend Auburn Academy in Auburn, Washington for his senior year of high school. While at Auburn Academy he took a course in accounting and was employed in the school's accounting office. At school he met a young woman by the name of Fran Berry whom he married in 1949. They moved to Los Angeles after Jim completed course work at a business college in Central California; he worked for an appliance manufacturer as an accountant and also managed an apartment house complex. During these years Fran gave birth to their two children. When Jim learned of the new dental school to be opened in Loma Linda, he decided to quit his accounting job and attend college full time, preparing himself for admission. Jim received his acceptance to Loma Linda's dental school in 1955 for the Class of 1960. The acceptance brought tears of joy mixed with tears of sorrow as Fran had contracted polio. She was hospitalized for several months but made a complete recovery. Jim entered the dental curriculum with enthusiasm, but made time for family and fun, with fond memories of their weekly trips to the local Foster's Freeze for a 5¢ Frostee. Upon graduation in 1960, he and his family accepted a call to Oneida Mountain Hospital in Kentucky. His patients at Oneida paid him with chickens, eggs and vegetables. Continuing his odyssey, he returned to Loma Linda at the invitation of Dean Charles T. Smith, DDS, for a career in academic dentistry. At the same time, he was offered a call to Bangkok Sanitarium and Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. Jim and Fran accepted the call to Bangkok, where he directed the dental and public health services for seven years. While in Bangkok, Jim met Dr. Mervyn Harding, who invited him to consider being a faculty member of Loma Linda's newly-formed School of Public Health, but found he had to further prepare himself by enrolling in the masters in public health degree program at Harvard University. While in Boston, he expanded his public health experience by being the Health Secretary for the Southern New England Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. He also organized "Five Day" smoking cessation seminars for television and radio and orchestrated a "Great Smoke Out" on the Boston Commons.   Dr. Crawford shoots many beautiful photos of animals.   In 1971, Jim and his family returned to Loma Linda where he took up duties in the School of Public Health as a professor and associate dean for student affairs. Concurrently he held an appointment in the School of Dentistry teaching concepts in the innovative area of preventive dentistry. Soon thereafter, he became the chairman of the Department of Health Promotion in the School of Public Health as well as that school's academic dean. In 1976, the United States government offered Jim an opportunity to start a dental health program on the island of American Samoa at Pago Pago, which he accepted. After a short time at Pago Pago, he received a call from Loma Linda University asking him to return and become the Dean of the School of Public Health, a position he held until 1980. In 1980 he returned to the School of Dentistry to manage the Continuing Education program and to teach community dentistry. In 1983 he was invited back to the School of Public Health as Dean and remained in that capacity until 1986 at which time he became the Associate Dean for Educational Services in the School of Dentistry. Since 1995 Jim has been the Executive Associate Dean for the School of Dentistry as well as the Associate Secretary of the Health Ministries Department representing missionary dentistry at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.   Dr. Crawford congratulates grandson William Wilson, SD'99.   Jim has received many honors through the years including the Distinguished Service Award from both the School of Dentistry and from Loma Linda University in 1995 and 1998 respectively. In spite of Jim's wonderfully varied professional life he is first a husband, father and grandfather, and enjoys being with his family more than anything. When one looks at the accomplishments of Jim's and Fran's children and grandchildren it is obvious that the Crawfords have not only believed in professional education but have been very successful in role modeling. Considering their children's experiences it is no surprise that both of them became interested in public health education. Their daughter earned a DHSc degree and their son holds MPH and MD degrees from Loma Linda University. The spouses of their children also hold degrees from Loma Linda University. Their son-in-law was granted an MD degree and their daughter-in-law is a graduate of the School of Dentistry's dental hygiene department. The Crawford's third generation includes a granddaughter with a BS in dental hygiene and a grandson with a 1999 DDS from the School of Dentistry. While Jim and the children have been busy with academics at LLU, Fran has been active as secretary in the School of Dentistry's orthodontic department for the last 21 years. Throughout his married life with Fran he has enjoyed the hobby of photography and bird watching at many exotic places around the world. Loma Linda University has been blessed by someone who has been capable of fulfilling many roles with aplomb while exemplifying the University's motto "To Make Man Whole." By his involvement in scientific inquiry, geographical exploration and service to mankind, Dr. Crawford has become Loma Linda's renaissance man! R. David Rynearson, SD'71, MS'87, is assistant professor of orthodontics at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, and practices orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics in Moreno Valley, California. He is associate editor of Dentistry. University | Medical_Center | LLU&MC_home | Search | Employment | News_&_events | Academics | Our_mission | Admissions | Registration | Research | Alumni | Student_resources All contents copyright © 2001 Loma Linda University. 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