College Station -  Paul B. Crawford, 87, of Bryan passed away on Tuesday, October 7, 2008, at his home. Services are set for 2 p.m. Friday, October 10, at A&M Church of Christ in College Station. Officiants will be Mr. Foree Grove and Mr. Jason Fikes. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, October 9, at Hillier Funeral Home.

Paul was born on July 28, 1921 in Stamford, Texas, and lived most of his childhood in Haskell, Texas. He received his Bachelor of Science from Texas Tech University and Master of Science and Ph.D. degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Texas. He now holds the rank of professor emeritus at Texas A&M University.

In 1947, Dr. Crawford was employed by Mobil Oil Research Laboratories to work on enhanced oil recovery methods. In 1951, Dr. Crawford joined the Department of Petroleum Engineering at Texas A&M University where he served as Associate Director of the Texas Petroleum Research Committee and directed research activities in the high pressure laboratory.

A member of the graduate faculty and a professor of petroleum engineering, he also served as a worldwide consulting engineer. Dr. Crawford's great love was working with his students, many of whom became leaders in the petroleum industry.

He is the author of more than 300 publications in petroleum literature and published papers in dozens of the world's oil producing countries. His research led to numerous innovations in the oil recovery process, including insitu combustion and carbon dioxide injection techniques. The methods he developed are still used by the oil and gas industry and have become even more important as our need for energy sources increases.

Dr. Crawford was internationally recognized for his research in oil recovery. He was a Distinguished Lecturer of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, lecturing in over 25 countries.

He was awarded the 1977 Italian Interpetrol World Award for American Science. The Senate of the State of Texas passed a resolution citing Dr. Crawford's work and recognizing his accomplishments. In 1982,

Dr. Crawford received the Anthony F. Lucas Gold Medal of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, one of its highest awards. He was named the 1982 Distinguished Engineer by Texas Tech University for his career contributions to the petroleum industry.

Dr. Crawford held a long-standing appointment to the Interstate Oil Compact Commission and served on its research committee, directing the collaboration of oil-producing states in recovering our oil and gas resources. He is listed in American Men of Science, World Who's Who in Commerce and Industry, Who's Who in the South and Southwest, Who's Who in Education and American Men of Achievement.

In 1971, he was cited for 14 years of volunteer work for a public elementary school, public library, United Chest, Junior Museum and other community projects here in Bryan. Dr. Crawford led the effort to fund and build the Bryan Public Library building.

In 1973, he was selected as Library Trustee of the Year for the State of Texas, for his initiation of the Old Masters Art Lending Library and Worldwide Children's Art Exchange Program for the Bryan Public Library. He was a member of the A&M Church of Christ for more than 55 years.

Survivors include his wife of more than 60 years, Bernice Murray Crawford; three daughters and sons-in-law, Becky Crawford Russell and Dr. B Don Russell of College Station, Dr. Janice Crawford Hall and Dr. John Hall of Grand Prairie, Texas, and Patricia Grace Crawford of College Station; eight grandchildren, Christyn Russell Taylor and husband, Brian, of San Antonio, Jenny Russell Winter and husband, Tim, of Houston, John Paul Russell of Dallas, Elizabeth Anne Russell of College Station, Nathan Hall and wife, Melissa, of Dallas, Jared Hall and wife, Erin, of Dallas, Sara Hall of Grand Prairie, Texas, and Benjamin Thomas Sims of College Station; five beloved great-grandchildren, Rebecca Elizabeth Taylor, Nicholas Brian Taylor, Alexander Paul Taylor, Caleb Russell Winter and Pierson Everette Hall; two brothers, Duffer B. Crawford of Houston, and Horace R. Crawford and wife, Louise, of Houston; and brother-in-law, Roscoe Murray and wife, Brenda, of Charlotte, N.C. He enjoyed the company of his numerous nieces and nephews that he dearly loved.

Paul B. Crawford may have received many awards in his lifetime, but the joy of his life was spending time with his family and friends. His laughter and love of life were a blessing to everyone who knew him.

Memorials may be made to the Paul B. Crawford Scholarship in the Department of Petroleum Engineering at Texas A&M University.