Preston Verrill Crabtree, who insisted that everyone call him “Pete”, passed from this Earth on December 8, 2018. Pete was born in Lubbock, TX in 1943 and was the youngest of three children to Henry and Lona Crabtree.
Pete studied Mechanical Engineering at Texas Tech where he pursued his fondness for hot rod cars. He supported himself throughout college as a short order cook and became locally famous for his cooking skills. Pete relocated to Dallas to make his career in Heavy Equipment Sales and Marketing. Pete would be the first to admit that his life really began in 1975 when he married Suzy who was the love of his life. Pete and Suzy met at work and as their first date, Pete surprised Suzy by arriving unannounced early one Saturday morning to mow and edge the lawn. Pete and Suzy traveled the USA following Pete’s career to Atlanta, New Orleans, Connecticut and back to Houston making close friends at every stop along the way.
After he retired, Pete and Suzy relocated to Austin, TX. Continuing his service, Pete volunteered weekly at Meals on Wheels. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed frequent gatherings with family and friends. Pete’s highest priority throughout his life was what he considered to be his responsibility as a husband, father, provider and to be “Gepah”, his nickname from his first grandchild.
He is survived by his wife Suzy, his step children James Crow and his wife Rhonda, Joni Mitchell and her husband Kent, Jennifer Crow and her fiancé Rob Nance, his grandchildren Priscilla Schmidt and her husband Nathan, Andrea Smith and her husband Dylan, James “Jimmy D” Crow, Ava and Sovie Nance and his great grandchildren Caleb and Karson Schmidt. His family will be eternally grateful for Pete’s unwavering support and kindness.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Crabtree family may be left at www.cookwaldenchapelofthehills.com.
