James Merl Crawford was born October 12th 1917, better known as Jack. He departed from this life on February 23rd 2010. However, instead of focusing on how he died. I’d rather remember how he lived.

Jack the Ripper, was the nickname given to him by his customer‘s. For, he only knew one haircut. He started out cutting hair in the military, and that’s what everyone received, once they sat down in his barber chair. A military style haircut, whether they asked for it or not. Despite his nickname, people traveled from all around to get their $2.00 haircut, and listen to old war stories. For, Jack was a true war hero. Having fought in World War II, and bringing his badly freezer burnt legs home with him as proof, as well as a reminder of the torture he had to endure, for no other reason, than he was an American soldier.

Once Jack got out of the Military. He began building his life, as well as his legacy. Allie was her name. A short Irish lady, that completed him in everyway. Together there was nothing they couldn’t accomplish. Therefore, with his true love by his side. Jack began building their future together. He invested in a piece of commercial property, only miles from his home, and built his Barber Shop with his own two hands, one brick at a time.

Jack also built Allie’s dream home with his own two hands. A four bedroom two bath brick home. Which was appropriate, considering that his family had gotten much larger throughout the years. Jack and Allie had five children together, four boy’s and a girl.

He built the home in the heart of Lacoochee Florida, which is known for it’s crime rate. Nevertheless, the run down houses, and sounds of gun fire that surrounded him, never seemed to discourage Jack. He remained positive about every situation, never having anything negative to say, and he was always the first one to help out during a crisis situation. An example being. Jack was awaken one night, by blood curdling cries coming from what appeared to be children. Jack ran to check on his own children first, and once he made sure his family was safe. He quickly ran outside. That’s when he witnessed a home burning at the end of his street. Without hesitation, Jack ran swiftly towards the burning home. There were three young boy’s trapped inside, and they were screaming out for help. Disregarding his own life, and with his wife and children standing nearby watching. Jack entered the burning home, and pulled all three of the boy’s out safely.