Ronald Marion Crews was born on May 4, 1947 to Marion Ralph Crews and Velma Gentry Crews in Garden City, Kansas.
Ron had two younger brothers, Steven and Gary Crews. The family lived in several communities including Seminole, Carney and Chandler. He graduated in 1965 from Chandler High School, Chandler, Oklahoma. Ron was an excellent athlete at Carney and Chandler where he proved he was a stellar baseball player. Years later he would pass on his love for sports and his athletic abilities to his two daughters and two grandchildren.
Some of Ron’s most favorite memories were growing up and spending time with his Crews grandparents on their Bowlegs farm. He cherished the times in his early childhood when he spent his summers with his them on their farm. He frequently spoke of his time with his grandparents and those days being some of his most favorite.
In the fall of 1965 Ron attended classes at OSU. He was drafted into the United States Army on October 9, 1966. He served his country for 3 years, which included two tours of VietNam. During the second tour he was wounded so severely that he wasn’t expected to live. For his heroic actions Ron was awarded the Purple Heart, 3 Bronze Stars, The Combat Infantryman Badge and the Vietnamese Cross of Valor. On October 21, 2022 Sgt. Ron Crews was recognized and honored by the state of Oklahoma for his courage, bravery and dedication to serving his country.
After Ron’s military service, he began working at the Oklahoma City Post Office and was later transferred to the Chandler Post office.
Ron married Gaitha Griffith on June 17, 1972 in Henryetta, Oklahoma and they recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They had two daughters, Christie and Julie.
One of Ron’s most important decisions in his life was accepting the Lord as his Savior in March of 1972. In 1975 he surrendered to preach the gospel and to lead people to accept the Lord as their personal Savior. He successfully pastored First Baptist Church, Tryon, OK, Morning Star Baptist Church in Meeker. Oakview Baptist Church in Madill, OK and Southside Baptist Church in Okmulgee, OK. After retiring from the full-time ministry, Ron continued preaching and guided many pastorless churches to find their next pastor until his health began to decline.
He loved being outdoors whether it was fishing, boating, hunting, attending OU football and softball games, grandkids’ activities, doing carpentry work or mechanic work, and traveling!
Ron cherished all of his family and friends. Some of his unforgettable characteristics…He greeted everyone with his infectious smile, kind words, his sense of humor, his caring spirit, his enormous repertoire of stories and he NEVER met a stranger!
On October 22, 2022, Ron went to be with his Lord with his loving family by his side.
He was preceded in death by his parents Marion and Velma Crews, his mother-in-law Anita Griffith, grandparents Isaac and Adela Crews and Samuel and Mary Etta Gentry, his brother-in-law Jim Prince, and nieces Angel Prince Jones and Carrie Ann Crews.
He is survived by his wife Gaitha, daughters Christie Crews Lollar/ Mark and Julie Crews Deal/ Brandon, grandson Cade Matthew Kimzey, granddaughter Ashleigh Renee’ Crews, Brianna Lollar Nichols/Troy, Alyssa Lollar Rostetter/Dalton, Ashleigh Lollar, brother Steven Crews/wife Judy, brother Gary Crews/Debbie, sister-in-law Nita Prince, nephews Steve Crews/Lori, Gary Lynn Crews/Candace, Monty Prince/Jenny, nieces Jennifer Crews Henry/Erik, Amy Crews Hoover/Shawn, great-nephews Austin Petit, Austin Hoover, Gage Crews, Denver Prince, Zachary Prince and Jaxon Prince, great-nieces Morgan Hoover and Hope Crews, plus a host of other relatives and dear friends.
Burial will be at the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, in Chandler, Oklahoma, on Friday, October 28, 2022, at 2 p.m. under the direction of Rogers Funeral Home, Henryetta, OK.
A Celebration of Ron’s Life will be Sunday, November 6, 2022 at 2 p.m. at Canyon Road Baptist Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma. All are welcome to join the family as they honor him and celebrate the incredible legacy that he leaves...Faith, Family, Freedom. There will be a reception to follow the service.