Walter Dale Crossley, Sr.

Walter was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on October 12, 1937, the eldest of five children of Honora Mae and Walter Homan Crossley. The family moved to Miami in 1950, where Walter attended Miami Jackson Senior High School, Class of 1955, and pitched for the school's baseball team.

In the Merritt Island community, Walter was known for his dedication to youth sports, having coached Little League baseball and football, and volunteering as a mentor to countless student athletes while serving on boards and as a booster for various sports organizations.

Along with his wife, Libby, he owned and operated the IHOP on A1A for more than 37 years and could be seen behind the counter every morning until his retirement nine years ago.

A priority in Walter's life was spending time with his family, particularly his grandchildren. An avid reader and history buff, he also enjoyed traveling and listening to all genres of music, from Beethoven to Willie Nelson and Frank Sinatra. Walter was a true sports fanatic, particularly high school football. He could be found in the stands and sidelines with his lifelong friends Sal and Cliff for the past 35 years every fall Friday night.

Walter is survived by his wife, Carrie "Libby" Crossley; his sisters, Mae "Sissy" Matthews of Macon, Ga., and Isabel Perkins of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; and brother, Louis Crossley of Newbern, NC; and his children, Debbie Meyers of Pittsburgh, Tanya "Tammy" Stewart of Orlando and Walter Dale "Dale" Crossley, Jr. of Winter Park; as well as eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation and service will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday, June 4 at the Wylie - Baxley Funeral Home on Courtenay Parkway in Merritt Island. The family is hosting a reception immediately following at the family home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Brevard Wuesthoff Hospice, 8060 Spyglass Hill Road, Melbourne, FL 32940 in grateful appreciation for their loving care and kindness.