Jack Henderson Crabtree, a 50-year resident of Hendersonville, TN, died peacefully, surrounded by his family, on December 1, 2022 at the age of 88 .
He was born on August 26, 1934, in Winchester, TN to Rufus Quincy Crabtree and Ava Anna (Cooper) Crabtree.
He was the youngest of 12 children. Jack was very close to his mother and siblings. He was particularly close to his sisters Nellie and Christine who helped to raise him after his father passed away when he was only one-year-old.
Jack married Ellen Darlene Ethridge in Tennessee City, TN in August 1957. They lived in Donelson and Hendersonville, TN where they raised their two children: Lisa Anne Crabtree and Keith Henderson Crabtree. He had two grandsons, Noah Henderson Crabtree and Eli Laughlin Crabtree.
Jack was a hard worker. His first job was a paper route at the age of 9. After graduating from Franklin County High School, he worked at Spur Oil Company in Nashville where he met his future wife, Darlene. He entered the Army just before getting engaged and was stationed in Germany for 2 years. After leaving service, Jack worked for IBM in Nashville for over 30 years. After retirement from IBM, he worked for Procter & Gamble for 13 years leaving P&G at age 78.
Jack was devoted to his family and friends. He loved to play golf and played until his mid-80s. In addition to playing golf, he enjoyed reading, especially courtroom dramas, and keeping an immaculate lawn.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers – Buford, Vernon, Herman, Wilbur and Donald; and his sisters – Stella, Myra, Christine, Helen, Nellie and Edna.
Jack is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ellen Darlene (Ethridge) Crabtree, his daughter, Lisa Crabtree, his son, Keith Crabtree, and his wife, Valerie, and his two grandchildren, Noah and Eli, as well as many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and dear friends.
A funeral service will be held on Sunday, December 11, 2022 at Hendersonville First United Methodist Church, 217 E Main St, Hendersonville, TN 37075 at 3 pm. Visitation will be from 1 pm until 3 pm before the service. Burial will be held on Monday, December 12, 2022 at Hendersonville Memory Gardens, 353 E Main St, Hendersonville, TN 37075. https://www.hendersonvillefh.com
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack Crabtree’s name can be made to Hendersonville First United Methodist Church, Alive Hospice or St. Jude.
For more obituaries visit https://sumnercountysource.com/obituaries/
