Richard Allen Crosby

The world was gifted with the birth of Richard Allen Crosby on October 9, 1942 born to Lula M. Young-Crosby and Frank Crosby in Pensacola, FL.

On December 10, 2017, after 75 years of a beautifully fulfilled life, Richard was called home, with his family by his side.

Richard graduated from Booker T. Washington Senior High School in Pensacola, FL. He went on to receive his Bachelor of Science Degree from Southern University and A&M College at Baton Rouge, LA and his Masters of Arts Degree from Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, MI.

He left an indelible imprint on many lives and made an extraordinary impact in education in Saginaw, MI. He began teaching in Saginaw, MI in the Buena Vista School District in 1966 where he held a variety of positions including Teacher, Department Chair of the Social Science Department, Drivers Education Instructor for the Buena Vista School District and Saginaw Public Schools, Attendance Supervisor, Varsity Baseball Coach, Student Senate Advisor, Vice Principal and Principal of Buena Vista High School, from which he retired in 1998 after 32 years of dedicated service.

His dedication, however, stretched far beyond education. Richard was very involved in church, where he was an active member of Truevine Missionary Baptist Church in Saginaw, MI since 1966, serving on the Senior Usher Board and the Board of Christian Education. In the community, Richard was a member of the Saginaw Alumnae Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. and a Meals on Wheels volunteer. For many years he worked with the 4-H Club at Warren Ave. Presbyterian Church.

Richard loved his family and made taking care of those less fortunate a big part of his life. An avid fan of all sports, he loved to travel and thoroughly enjoyed his daily retiree’s nap.

He will be greatly missed by his loving wife, Mary Crosby; five daughters, Shanon Crosby, Houston, TX, Cynthia Hudson, Orlando, FL, Cheryle (Ricardo) Flores, Grand Rapids, MI, Michelle (Jeff) Jordan, Dallas, TX, Monita (William) Bradley, Charlotte, NC; one son, Dereck Davis, Shreveport, LA; ten grandchildren, Gregory Dale, Ashlei Hudson, Alexis Hudson, Myles McKinnon, Alliyah Flores, Ajiah Flores, Javan Flores, Mason Bradley, Mylan Jordan, McKinley Jordan; three great-grandchildren, Aubrey Dale, Ava Hudson, Avondre Nelson, Jr.; one god-daughter, Anquinisha Garcia; seven siblings, Anthony Floyd, Pensacola, FL, Carmelesa Crosby-Harley, Tallahassee, FL, Francine (Eddie) Ishmael, Pensacola, FL, Angela Moore, Conyers, GA, Alan (Jackie) Moore, Tallahassee, FL, Lawrence McCall, Las Vegas, NV, Graillen Crosby, Pensacola, FL; five sisters-in-law, Brenda Primus, Saginaw, MI, Mildred (Johnny) Bradshaw, Milwaukee, WI, Della Simmons, Detroit, MI, Geraldine Green, Saginaw, MI, and Sara Ann Floyd, Pensacola, FL; one brother-in-law, Grover (Sherry) Mathious, Flint, MI; two special aunts, Ruby Floyd and Arretha Hall; one special uncle, Rev. James Young and many special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Richard was preceded in death by his mother, Lula M. Floyd; father, Frank Crosby; brother, Willie D. Floyd; sister, Gloria Fryson; stepmother, Johanna Crosby; wife, Hattie M. Crosby; mothers-in-law, Josephine Brown and Vernetta Mathious; fathers-in-law, Eddie Brown and Richard Mathious, Sr.; brother-in-law, Richard Mathious, Jr; sister-in-law, Vera Casey, and brother-in-law, Wardell Brown.