John Ronald Crabbe

WEATHERFORD, TEXAS -- John Ronald Crabbe, age 70, formerly of Blair, Oklahoma, passed away September 17, 2014 at James L. West Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Funeral Service: 10 a.m. Saturday at North Side Baptist Church, 910 N. Main St., Weatherford, Texas, officiated by Reverend Tracy Holcomb. Interment: 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Blair Cemetery in Blair, Okla., officiated by Reverend Doug Altom. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at White's Funeral Home, 130 Houston Ave., Weatherford, Texas. Memorials may be made in Ron's honor to the Parker County Committee on Aging, P.O. Box 817, Weatherford, Texas, 76086, or The American Cancer Society. Ron was born May 12, 1944 to J.C. and Jo Ann (Jones) Crabbe in Texarkana, Ark. He began his education in Magnolia, Ark., completing the fifth grade, before moving to Fouke, Ark., where he finished the ninth grade. The family then relocated to Blair, Okla. where his father pastored the First Baptist Church. Graduating with honors in 1962, from Blair High School, Ron was a talented player on both the basketball and baseball teams. His position as pitcher and 1st baseman earned him All State honors during his senior year. He also played American Legion Baseball in Altus, Okla. Ron married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Cargal, on May 28, 1962 at the Blair First Baptist Church, officiated by his father, Reverend J.C. Crabbe. This 52-year marriage was blessed with three beautiful daughters, Rhona, Carol, and Traci. Ron attended Oklahoma University one year and then was employed by Consolidated American of Gulfport, Miss., working in quality control for the Saturn Missile Program. Moving from Gulf Port to Alva, Okla., Ron returned to college and received his bachelor's degree from Northwestern State University. While attending college, Ron was employed by the Sonic Drive In in Alva. After graduation, his friend and former classmate, Danny Winters, persuaded him to continue in the Sonic business and he and Carolyn began a 46-year partnership with Danny and Avis Winters. The family moved to Weatherford, Texas in 1970 and opened the first of three Drive Ins in that community. In 1976 they moved to Harrah, Okla. where Ron worked in the office with Danny Winters in developing and continuing to grow their business. They returned to Weatherford, Texas in 1979 and have remained there for the past 35 years. Ron's hobbies included playing golf, attending his beloved OU football games with Carolyn and family, as well as traveling in their motor home to all home games and hosting tailgate parties. They also traveled and camped with special friends, but Ron's FAVORITE pastime was following his grandchildren's activities. These included basketball, baseball, football, volleyball, cheerleading and showing livestock. Throughout Ron's life he created and participated in numerous organizations. He helped start the Booster Club in Harrah, Okla., as well as coach the American Legion Baseball team. After moving to Weatherford, Texas, Ron then helped with the Junior League Basketball program for several years, as well as helped start the Little Dribblers program in Weatherford. Continuing his selfless efforts to help others, Ron also coached many teams, even if his daughters were not playing. He was also a member of the Booster Club at Weatherford High School, as well as on the committee, which started Project Graduation in 1990 for WHS. Ron was a very genuine and caring man that would donate and support organizations in town, and would always ask for his name not to be recognized for his contributions. Ron was preceded in death by his father, Reverend J.C. Crabbe; grandparents, Dallas and Janie (Odom) Crabbe, and Madie and Jessie Jones; his mother-in-law, Jo Cargal Carlton; sister-in-law, Twilla Cargal Starwalt; brother-in-law, Ricky Cargal; three nephews, John Del Crabbe, Barry Don Crabbe, and Jacob Crabbe. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn of Weatherford, Texas; children, Rhona Grandstaff and husband, Wes, of Rockwall, Texas, Carol Andrews and husband, Kepp, of Keller, Texas, and Traci Umphress of Chico, Texas; his mother, Jo Ann Crabbe of Minco, Okla.; brothers, Donald Crabbe and wife, Patti, of Cabbot, Ark. and David Crabbe and wife, Kelia, of Norman, Okla.; sister, Carol Crabbe Southall and husband, Mike, of Chickasha, Okla.; sister-in-law, Imogene Cargal of Blair, Okla.; grandchildren, Ashley Grandstaff, Austin Grandstaff and Alec Grandstaff of Rockwall, Texas, Josh Dennis of Chicago, Ill., Jeremy Dennis of Dallas, Texas, Justin Andrews of Abilene, Texas, Lacy Andrews of Lubbock, Texas, Molli Umphress, Matti Umphress, and Bailey Umphress of Chico, Texas; numerous nieces and nephews; and at Ron's request, a few of his special friends that have been in his life for many years: Danny and Avis Winters, Pat and Nancy Batterton, Bob and Judy McMillin, Donald and Navone Staggs, Jerry LoBaugh, Mary Kay Foshee, Jo Raye Williams and Jerry Brooks, as well as countless others. White's Funeral Home Weatherford, 817-596-4811