Rev. Ronald Crews, a Sapulpa resident, died Oct. 22, 2022 at the age of 75. He was born May 4, 1947 to Marion Ralph Crews and Velma Gentry Crews in Garden City, Kansas.
In the fall of 1965 Ron attended classes at OSU. He was drafted into the United States Army Oct. 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 June 17, 1972 in Henryetta and they recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They had two daughters, Christie and Julie.
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, Morning Star Baptist Church in Meeker. Oakview Baptist Church in Madill and Southside Baptist Church in Okmulgee. 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 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 and grandson Cade Matthew Kimzey, 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.
A Celebration of Ron's Life will be Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 at 2 p.m. at Canyon Road Baptist Church, Tulsa. There will be a reception to follow the service.