He was born on February 7, 1924 in Holiday, Texas to Jerry and Pearl Crabtree.
He is survived by his wife, Lanell Huber Crabtree; daughter, Mercedes Margaret Balin and husband Tim of Cat Springs, TX. ; sons Jerry Wesley Crabtree III and John Terrell Crabtree of Houston, TX.; granddaughters, Holly Jones and her husband Aaron of Austin, Paige Guerra of Brooklyn, New York, Justin Balin of Houston, and Hayley Zepeda and her husband Zack of Houston; stepson, David Wilson of Victoria; and step-daughter, Vicki Lavelle and husband Perry of Victoria; his brother Lloyd Crabtree and wife Evelyn of Big Sandy, TX , and step-brother Clifford Plant of Gilmer, TX ; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mercedes Chapman Crabtree; four brothers, Tom, Willie, Vernon and Doyle Crabtree; his sister, Geraldine Lindley; and his step-sister Neta McKinney.
He served in WWII 1942-1948, as a communications officer in the US Merchant Marine. Dr. Crabtree went on to graduate from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans in 1955. Upon graduation he immediately entered the U S Public Health Services and was stationed at the Marine Hospital in Galveston and later in New Orleans. In 1957, upon discharge from the service he moved to Victoria and started a private practice, he continued that until 1991. His expertise in Occupational Medicine was practiced with many in South Texas including Formosa Plastics, Alcoa, and Union Carbide. He truly believed that is was a privilege to work and proved it every day until his retirement at the age of 90, Until recently he continued to be a Senior Aviation Medical Examiner. He captivated family, friends and patients with his generous smile, spirit and love of life. He never met a stranger or missed a chance to share a handshake, hug or greeting. His love of hunting and fishing took him all over world. To quote him, in life he was always “fantastic.”
He was a charter fellow in the Diplomat American Academy of Family Physicians, a lifelong member of American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Texas Academy of Family Physicians, American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association and Victoria-Goliad-Jackson County Medical Association. He was also a guest speaker in the Texas Senate invited by Gib Lewis.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 10 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1501 N. Glass Street in Victoria, Texas, followed by flag folding and Taps under the direction of the Victoria Veterans Council.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Episcopal School, 1504 N. Moody, Victoria, TX 77901, Hospice of South Texas, 605 E. Locust Ave., Victoria, TX 77901 or donor’s choice.
Words of comfort may be shared at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.
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