Tommy Gene Crabtree

Tommy Gene Crabtree went to be with the Lord on Monday, March 5, 2012, He passed away in Frederick at the age of 81 years, 1 month, and 18 days. He was born January 16, 1931, to Melvin Columbus and Ellaree (Howard) Crabtree, in Clarendon, Texas. He attended Clarendon Schools and graduated from Clarendon High School. Tom enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1950 and served for ten years. He was stationed on Guam and was on detached service to the Navy for broadcasting on AFRS for 18 months of his two year tour of duty. He also worked part-time at KFQD, commercial radio station in Alaska under Air Force approval. He married Genevieve Russell December 31, 1959. Tom was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force in Charleston, South Carolina, in June 1960. He and his wife moved to Amarillo, Texas. Their son Paul was born March 17, 1961. Tom continued broadcasting with KGNC Radio-TV-FM in 1960 soon after arriving in Amarillo. He served as KGNC sports announcer on Friday nights reporting on area football games and filming games for TV programming. In 1969, he divorced and relocated to Topeka, Kansas as General Manager of a radio station. He continued his broadcasting career serving as General Manager and Program Director in various cities and states under direction of KGNC owners. He received several awards for citizenship and outstanding service to the "American Youth Junior Achievement Program" of Northeast Kansas. He tutored various girls in speech and drama for competition in the Junior Miss Pageants and the Miss Kansas Pageants during the 70's. Tom relocated to Oklahoma City in August 1978 to be a caregiver for his uncle and aunt who helped raise him. He found employment with Bank of Oklahoma and was later promoted to Assistant Vice President Bank Facilities/Supplies/ATMs. In 1994, Tom met Sherial Richards, her daughter Kari, and their families as he traveled to Frederick overseeing the Bank of Oklahoma branch office. In 1996, when he retired he relocated to Frederick and purchased a home. He enjoyed his retirement years with loving support of his friendship family, family, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by one son: Paul Justin Crabtree; one brother: Jimmy W. Crabtree and wife Edith, of Houston, TX; one grandchild: Joshua; two nieces: Judith Brooks and Joni Sharps; loving supporters and friendship family: Sherial Richards, Kari Hicks and husband Keith, special grandsons: Kade and Kellan Hicks; Mrs. Chessie Hogue, Mr. and Mrs. Scott Hogue, Mr. and Mrs. Marty Hogue, Ms. Becky Henry, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Webster, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Clark, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Clark, Jr., and family, Mr. and Mrs. Jason Clark, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Maples and family, Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Kirkpatrick and family, Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie Davis and family, Mr. and Mrs. Brion Davis and family, Miss Britney Hogue and fiancé Kurtis Wheeler, Mrs. Rose Hicks, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Hicks, Jr. and family, Mr. and Mrs. Gary Hicks and family, Mr. Jerry Hicks and family, Mr. Roy Hicks, and Mr. and Mrs. Ricky Hicks and family.