Born in Laurens County, John Crews was the descendent of newspaper men. He attended the University of South Carolina Law School and, at the same time, he served as a deputy to the Richland County Probate Court. He practiced law in Columbia for 40 years and served as President of the Richland County Bar Association. In 1956, he was elected as the first judge of the newly created county criminal court.
He married Juanita Wilkins, whose family helped to settle Oregon, and they had a son and a daughter. His son’s death, while in pilot training in World War II, was a great loss to him. John Crews served four terms in the South Carolina State Legislature and held offices in many community organizations. He often sat as a Special Judge on various circuits about the State of South Carolina and served as a Special Judge on the South Carolina Supreme Court.
Judge Crews had compassion, dignity, integrity, and a keen desire to uphold the honor of his office.