Update: Modesto man finds homes for 29 dogs after his neighbors die in crash
Alex Appleby was in Stockton on May 29, moving some things into storage, when he got a call from a friend in distress.
It was Michael, the son of Appleby’s neighbors. He had devastating news: Michael’s mother, Sue Crawford, had died in a car crash. Her partner, Lawrence “Junior” Coleman, was critically injured and died days later, on June 5.
“I turned around and headed back to see how I could help,” Appleby said. “As soon as I pulled into the driveway, I heard all the dogs barking — and that’s when it really hit me.”
Crawford and Coleman, longtime Modesto residents, left behind 29 dogs that had lived with them on their property. At that moment, Appleby, 42, decided he would take care of every single one.
He had met the couple last year through a mutual friend while living out of his truck camper. He parked wherever he could: grocery store parking lots, roadside shoulders, anywhere with space. Crawford and Coleman offered him a safe place to park, as well as access to electricity and water. For the last 10 months, Appleby has lived in his camper parked on the couple’s property.
“They gave me a place to go when I didn’t really have anywhere,” he said.
Crawford had a deep love for animals. She and Coleman had taken in a handful of dogs over the years, but as time passed, the number slowly got out of hand.
“They had more than 29 a few months back,” Appleby said. “Sue was definitely a dog lover.”
After the couple’s deaths, the responsibility of caring for the dogs fell to him, and it was an adjustment for everyone involved.
“At first, half of them wouldn’t even come near me,” he said while still caring for the dogs. “I couldn’t get them out of the RV. But now they all come up to me, for the most part. Some still make me do a little dance to catch them, but they’re good dogs.”
He worked with Oakdale Rescue to get the dogs adopted, and over the following weeks, he found homes for all 29. There were community donations, local volunteers and a GoFundMe campaign launched by Appleby to support the dogs and cover funeral expenses for Crawford.
The fundraiser is being used to purchase dog food, cover veterinary costs and assist volunteers with gas expenses. It’s also helping pay for flowers for Crawford’s funeral, scheduled for 12:30 p.m. June 20 at Lakewood Memorial Funeral Home in Hughson.
“It’s been a full-time thing. My place is a disaster,” Appleby said, laughing. “But I’ll have time to clean once they’re all adopted.”
What began as a tragedy has become something more — a mission rooted in gratitude.
“I’d like to see a good legacy left for them,” he said. “These little guys are going to live on for years. They’re a little piece of Sue and Junior, moving forward.”
And while he never saw himself as a rescuer, Appleby said he’s thankful for the role.
On Tuesday night, Appleby fostered out the last of the 29 dogs, just ahead of the deadline set by county animal services. It marked the end of a whirlwind two and a half weeks filled with grief, community support and determination.
“It’s given me a little bit of purpose,” he said. “Looking after something other than myself has felt good.”
How to help
- Call or text Alex Appleby at 209-730-6696
- Donate or share at GoFundMe.com/f/honor-sues-legacy-rescue-her-29-dogs
This story was originally published June 15, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
