Msgr. Slade Crawford Dies at 87

Monsignor Slade Crawford was born on October 4, 1938, in Birmingham, Alabama, to Patrick and Loretta Crawford. He attended Catholic schools throughout his early years and later entered St. Bernard Seminary in 1956, followed by Notre Dame Seminary from 1964 to 1965.

He was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood on May 15, 1965, by Archbishop Thomas J. Toolen and began his priestly ministry in the Diocese of Oakland, California. During his years in Oakland, Monsignor Crawford pursued advanced studies at the University of San Francisco, earning a Master of Arts degree in Jewish Scripture and Prophecy, and later completed a Ph.D. in Religion and Personality Science from Theological Union at U.C. Berkeley in 1973.

Following his studies, he was assigned to teach at St. Mary’s College High School in California from 1970 to 1975 and then served as a professor at St. Thomas Seminary in Seattle, Washington, from 1975 to 1977. After his years in academia, he continued his pastoral ministry in several parochial assignments within the Diocese of Oakland.

In May of 1986, Monsignor Crawford was incardinated into the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, where he faithfully served the people of God for 45 years. His pastoral assignments included St. Anne Parish in Marianna, St. Bernadette Parish in Panama City, Corpus Christi Parish in Destin, and St. Mary Parish in Fort Walton Beach. He was appointed Pastor of Little Flower Parish in Pensacola in 1991and ministered there until 2000. In August 2000, he was appointed Rector of the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Tallahassee and served there until November 2003. After his time as Rector of the Co-Cathedral, he was assigned Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Perry, and later Senior Priest at Resurrection Parish in Destin.

In addition to his parochial and previously mentioned diocesan assignments, Monsignor Crawford served as a member of the Clergy Concerns Committee; Director of Vocations and Seminarians from 1997 to October 2007; and Director of Permanent Deacon Formation and Director of Seminarians from October 2008 to August 2010.

Monsignor Crawford retired from active ministry in August 2010, concluding a lifetime of faithful service marked by scholarship, compassion, and a deep love for the Church. He will be remembered as an inspirational priest, a dedicated pastor, and a man of prayer whose life touched countless hearts through his ministry and example.

The body will be received at St. Mary Catholic Church in Fort Walton Beach on Thursday, October 23, 2025, with a 5:00pm (CT) Vigil Prayer Service; followed by the Rosary at 7:00 pm. The Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, October 24, 2025, at 11:00 am. Most Reverend William A. Wack, CSC, will serve as the principal celebrant for the Funeral Mass with priests of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee concelebrating. Burial will follow at Beal Memorial Cemetery in Ft. Walton Beach.

Special thanks are extended to all of Monsignor Crawford’s parishioners and brother priests who cared for him as his health declined, especially the parish of St. Mary in Fort Walton Beach and the professional staff at Bay Port/The Retreat of Fort Walton Beach.

May the souls of the faithful departed, by the mercies of God, rest in peace.