Thomas J. Crawley

Thomas James Crawley, age 52 of Black River Falls, Wisconsin, passed away after a very brief battle with cancer, in the comfort of his own home and surrounded by family on October 7, 2019. He was a caring husband, father, and lover of fun.
Tom was born on August 13, 1967 in Oconomowoc, WI to James Marlin Crawley and Dolores Halaria Radtke. Tom’s childhood memories consists of a lot of stories about the fun times spent with all of the neighborhood kids on Lincoln Street. He insists he never got into trouble as a child, but some of us have heard of the fun times.
He began his career as a truck driver at Christenson Building Center and then Thiensville Lumber where he met his future wife, Shelly (nee Richard) Crawley. On April 8, 2000, he married Shelly with their son, Myles, and step-daughters Leanne and Nichole by their side. Always the risk-taker, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to purchase a quad axle dump truck, of which he was an owner-operator for several years. He then found his true calling in Sales at Goeman Wood Products (Pallet USA) from 2007 to 2014.
After making the move from Kewaskum to Black River Falls, they became the fifth generation owner of the Crawley family farmstead, established in 1861, and loved to spend as much time there as possible. Again, his entrepreneurial spirit led Tom and Shelly to establish WestWood Supply Company, which has become a flourishing wholesale lumber business and their biggest accomplishment.
Throughout his life, Tom had a passion for all things outdoors, including bow-hunting, turkey hunting and traveling. Family camping trips were frequent and Tom and Shelly continued this tradition after they became empty-nesters. Tom especially loved to spend time with his wife and they enjoyed snowmobiling and golfing together. He lived for their annual tropical vacations and loved to meet new people and see new places.
As obvious to anyone who has met him, Tom was quite the jokester and loved to have fun. He was known for his loud hello, fun-loving attitude and contagious laugh. He could quite literally carry on a conversation about anything, with anyone. His outgoing demeanor, sense of adventure and fun spirit will be fondly remembered.
Tom is preceded in death by his brother, Gary Schoenike.
He is survived and dearly missed by his wife Shelly; his three children, Leanne (Brandon) Koronkiewicz of Green Bay, Nichole (Kyle) Donaldson of Madison, and Myles Crawley of Madison; granddaughter, Harper Koronkiewicz; his father, James Crawley of Black River Falls; and his mother, Dolores Crawley of West Bend; his father- and mother-in-law, Keith and Margaret Richard of Saxon. He is also survived by his sisters, Roseann Crawley of Jackson and Sandra (Curt) Schmidt of Kentucky; his brother, Scott (Linda) Schoenike of Gillette, WY; sister-in-law Cindy Schoenike of McFarland; sister-in-law, Connie (Eric) Todd of International Falls, MN; and brother-in-law, Mike (Heidi) Richard of Sturgeon Bay. He is further survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews, lifelong friends and golf buddies.
True to Tom’s spirit, there will be a celebration of life at Tenba Ridge Winery at N27587 Joe Coulee Road, Blair, WI 54616 on Wednesday, October 9 from 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. The visitation will begin at 2 p.m., with a service at 4 p.m. and dinner served from 4:30-6 p.m. All are welcome to attend the celebration and are encouraged to stay for dinner and swap memories of Tom. A private family burial will follow on Thursday.
Torgerson’s Funeral Home of Black River Falls, WI is assisting the family with arrangements.