SALISBURY — For Michael Thompson, John Robert Crawford III’s ophthalmology practice went beyond the walls of his business.

In 1979, after being hospitalized because of a car crash, Crawford went to the hospital to check on Thompson to make sure his eyes hadn’t been damaged in the accident.

“That’s one memory that really stands out in my mind,” Thompson said. “I owe him so much. I am enjoying eyesight because of his care. He kept my eyes strong and healthy for more than 40 years.”

Thompson lost his sight at age 9 because of a blood disease and hemorrhages associated with it. He regained his vision about a year and a half later but has remained visually impaired throughout his life. After making periodic trips to a Charlotte-based doctor, Thompson moved to Crawford’s practice in the mid-1970s and found him to be a compassionate and skilled doctor.

“I felt secure and safe in his care,” Thompson said. “Whenever I had to have special operations done, he sent me to the people that he knew were the best.”

When Thompson had his first cataract operation, Crawford sent Thompson to the person who taught him ophthalmology.

Crawford, who opened his ophthalmology practice in Salisbury in 1971 and was the oldest practicing physician in Rowan County at the time of his 2016 retirement, died in March 2018. It was just a few months after the death of Thompson’s parents, and his doctor’s death hit him hard. After Crawford’s death, Thompson wrote a letter to the editor published in April (“In great hands with Dr. Crawford”) saying as much.

“Several times, I told him how grateful I was for his help, yet I feel that I owe him more,” Thompson wrote. “So, I publicly acknowledge this fine physician. Thank you, Dr. Crawford. Enjoy your well-deserved eternal happiness.”

Last week, Thompson made a contribution to the Christmas Happiness Fund in Crawford’s memory as his way of saying thank you.

The program is sponsored by the Salisbury Post, which collects contributions. The Salvation Army of Rowan County distributes gift cards. Each day, readers send donations to the Post, often with a heartfelt tribute to a loved one, and the Post lists the names and amounts in the paper.

Contributions may be delivered to the Salisbury Post, 131 W. Innes St., between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays or mailed to Salisbury Post Christmas Happiness Fund, P.O. Box 4639, Salisbury, NC 28145-4639.

Other donations made last week include:

• In memory of John and Betty Thompson by their children, $100

• In honor of our dear grandchildren, Alyssa, Caden, Holden and Christian, by Art and Lynn Bolick, $300

• In memory of James M. Wilson by Anne Wilson, $50

• In memory of Richard F. Lentz Jr. by Anne Wilson, $50

• In memory of J.P. Helms and Libby Hoffmire by Anne Wilson, $50

• In memory of Hazel and William Harter, Bill and Marion Harter, Julian Harter and Aubrey Sophia Denny by Anne Wilson, $100

• In honor of Sally Helms, Vickie and Charles Butler, Pam, Ward and Amanda Clark by Anne Wilson, $50

• Love and missing you, in memory of Marshall Anthony Sr. and Alicia Catherine Sinerth, $25

• In memory of my dear son-in-law and in honor of his family, Wendi, Madison, Bree and Zane Hamilton by Phil Kirk, $100

• In memory of my husband, J.P. Helms, and daughter, Libby Helms Hoffmire by Sally Helms, $100

• In honor of Amanda from HoHo, $50

• Anonymous, $100

• In honor of David, William, Will, Reese, Whit, Ruby and John Graham by Julia, $150

• In honor of Salisbury Rotary Club by Charity League of Salisbury, $500

• In honor of Al Heggins by Jack and Nancy Bilson, $50

• Charles Buckley, $100

• Insolite Book Club, $50

• In memory of Gladys Van Poole by Kelly and Barrett Powlas, $50

• In memory of Dr. Hilda Bailey by Kelly and Barrett Powlas, $50

• In memory of Mary Ruth Van Poole by Kelly and Barrett Powlas, $50

• In memory of Gene Auten by Kelly and Barrett Powlas, $50

• In memory of Barry Powlas by Kelly and Barrett Powlas, $50