Recommend Daniel's obituary to your friends

PRINT 

OBITUARY OF DANIEL J. CRUM SR.

Daniel J Crum, Sr went to be with the Lord February 16, 2020. Dan was born on July 21, 1924 in Omaha, NE to Celestial and Raymond Crum, Sr. He began his life in Downs, KS moving to Waynesboro, PA, when he was six, where he grew up. He played football and was on the swim team at Waynesboro High School and graduated in 1942. After graduating he enlisted in the US Navy, serving on the destroyer the USS LAWS as a torpedoman, Pacific theater, WWII. He was extremely proud of his service to his country.

He attended the University of Florida graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education and a minor in Physical Education and later earned his Masters degree in Administration. He loved his Florida Gators and was a die hard Gators fan watching any Gator sporting event that was on TV.

In 1948 he married the love of his life, Ann Templeton, who he met working for his dad at his jewelry store in Plant City, FL. They were blessed with three children, Nancy, Peggy and Dan, Jr. They made their first home in Dade City, FL where he was a coach and teacher and established Little League Baseball taking his team representing Florida to the southeast regionals.

In 1955 he brought his family to St. Petersburg, FL to continue his teaching and coaching career at Northeast High School. In the 29 years of walking the halls of NEHI Dan influenced many young lives, coached football, swimming and baseball, taught and was head of the social studies department and served as activities director. While activities director he was honored by the Pinellas County Superintendent of schools with the Best All Around Activities trophy. He retired in 1984 but continued to work the ticket booth at football games, was on the sports hall of fame committee and attended other school activities. He was inducted into the Northeast High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. As he often said “Once a Viking, always a Viking.”

After retiring he liked to play golf and attend his grandsons’ sporting events and activities that they were involved in, showing his love by driving to GA to support them in any way he could by offering coaching tips and other grandfatherly advice.

He supported many charitable organizations.

When asked about living so long, he said, “I guess God isn’t finished with me yet!” He continued to share the word of God until he left this earth.

He loved his family unconditionally. His family lost a great father, granddad, Peepaw, brother and uncle and they will miss him so much but they find comfort in knowing he is rejoicing in heaven with his wife in the arms of his Savior.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Ann, his sister Druscilla Crum Gruhn, and his parents, Celestial and Raymond Crum, Sr. He leaves behind his daughters Nancy Crum Hicks (David), Peggy Crum Creech (Garry), son, Daniel J Crum, Jr (Doreen), grandsons Jason Creech, Andy Hicks (Holly), Patrick Creech, Tim Hicks, Great grandchildren, Parker, Rylee and Greyson Hicks and brothers Fred Crum and Raymond Crum, Jr and many  nieces, nephews and friends.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St Jude's children's Hospital or Glad Tidings Church.