The Crawfords lived for many years in Illinois and then in Michigan. Heading his own firm, Lou was an entrepreneur and innovator in food-processing equipment and operations. He launched or advised companies in this field in the United States and in many other countries, especially developing nations.
Lou was a prolific artist; he created hundreds of paintings, mobiles, and woodcarvings. He was also an avid blueberry farmer. Lou and his two wives, Joan Ashley and Courtney Coolidge — both of whom he outlived — together were parents and/or step-parents of three children, Lou Jr., Constance Schmitz, and Rebecca Gray; five step-children; seven grandchildren; 12 step-grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren. Lou died April 8, 2017, in hospice at an assisted-living facility in Kalamazoo, Mich.