Ronald Marion, 75, went to be with his Lord with his loving family by his side on October 22, 2022. He was born on May 4, 1947 to Marion Ralph Crews and VelmaGentryCrewsinGardenCity,Kans. Ron had two younger brothers, Steven and Gary Crews. The family lived in several communities including Seminole, Carney and Chandler. He graduated in 1965 from Chandler High School in Chandler, Okla. Ron was an excellent athlete at Carney and Chandler where he proved he was a stellar baseball player. Years later, he would pass on his love for sports and his athletic abilities to his two daughters and two grandchildren.
Some of Ron’s most favorite memories were growing up and spending time with his Crews grandparents on their Bowlegs farm. He cherished the times in his early childhood when he spent his summers with his them on their farm. He frequently spoke of his time with his grandparents and those days being some of his most favorite.
In the fall of 1965, Ron attended classes at OSU. He was drafted into the United States Army on October 9, 1966. He served his country for three 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, three 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 on June 17, 1972 in Henryetta, Okla. and they recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They had two daughters, Christie and Julie.
One of Ron’s most important decisions in his life was accepting the Lord as his Savior in March of 1972. 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, Okla., Morning Star Baptist Church in Meeker, Oakview Baptist Church in Madill, Okla. and Southside Baptist Church in Okmulgee, Okla. 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 loved being outdoors whether it was fishing, boating, hunting, attending OU football and softball games, grandkids’ activities, doing carpentry work or mechanic work, or traveling.
Ron cherished all of his family and friends. Some of his unforgettable characteristics were that he greeted everyone with his infectious smile, kind words, his sense of humor, his caring spirit, his enormous repertoire of stories and he NEVER met a stranger.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Marion and VelmaCrews;hismother-in-lawAnitaGriffith;grandparents, Isaac and Adela Crews and Samuel and Mary Etta Gentry; brother-in-law Jim Prince; and nieces Angel Prince Jones and Carrie Ann Crews.
HeissurvivedbyhiswifeGaitha;daughtersChristieCrews LollarandhusbandMark,andJulieCrewsDealandhusband Brandon; grandson Cade Matthew Kimzey; granddaughter Ashleigh Renee’ Crews, Brianna Lollar Nichols and husband Troy, Alyssa Lollar Rostetter and husband Dalton, Ashleigh Lollar and grandson Cade Matthew Kimzey; brother Steven Crews and wife Judy; brother Gary Crews and wife Debbie; sister-in-lawNitaPrince;nephewsSteveCrewsandwifeLori, Gary Lynn Crews and wife Candace, Monty Prince and wife Jenny; nieces Jennifer Crews Henry and husband Erik, Amy Crews Hoover and husband 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, November 6, 2022 at 2 p.m. at Canyon Road Baptist Church inTulsa, Okla. All are welcome to join the family as they honor him and celebrate the incredible legacy that he leaves.
Faith, Family, Freedom. There will be a reception to follow the service.