Jay Dean Crabb's Obituary
Jay Dean Crabb passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at his home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was 70 years old.
Jay was born on March 4, 1956, in Chicago, Illinois, to Arthur Dean Crabb and Nellie Faye (Lyon) Crabb. He grew up in Lee's Summit, Missouri, and Emporia, Kansas, where he developed a lifelong love of music. He played the saxophone in the Emporia High School band and marched with the Tri Vel Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps, competing in several national-level competitions. He graduated from Emporia High School in 1974 and attended Emporia State University before combining his passion for music with his entrepreneurial spirit.
In 1978, Jay moved to Tulsa to join his father in launching a stereo business. Soon after, his brother, Mark Crabb, joined the venture, and together they established Audio Advice, a business that proudly carried the Crabb family name for decades. Under Jay's leadership, Audio Advice grew from its humble beginnings into Tulsa's premier home electronics retailer. One of his proudest achievements was selling the very first compact discs in Tulsa, marking the beginning of a new era in music.
Jay met the love of his life, Donna Walker, through mutual friends after she moved to Tulsa from Denver. They were married on August 13, 1988, and built a life centered on love, family, and unwavering support for one another.
Music remained one of Jay's greatest passions throughout his life, especially jazz, and he was a longtime fan of Flem and the BB's. His love for drum and bugle corps never faded, and he enjoyed watching competitions whenever he had the chance. He also loved bowling, riding his Harley-Davidson, playing Uno with his family, and cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs and the Oklahoma Sooners.
Above all else, Jay treasured his family. He worked tirelessly to provide for those he loved and found his greatest joy simply in being with them. As a husband, he was a devoted partner and steadfast provider. As a father, he was a protector, teacher, and constant source of guidance. As a grandfather, he delighted in playing games, sharing laughs, and watching his grandchildren grow into remarkable young people.
Jay is survived by his beloved wife, Donna; his daughters, Deena Crabb, Jamie Leigh Sweetman and her husband, Bryan, and Faith Jayleen Buckner and her husband, David; his seven cherished grandchildren, Lane, Jonathan, Haylee, Alyssa, Sienna, Brandon, and Sydny; and his sister, Michelle Dehn.
He was preceded in death by his father, Arthur Crabb; his stepmother, Barbara Crabb; his mother, Nellie Faye Simmons; and his brother, Mark Crabb.
Jay will be remembered for his entrepreneurial spirit, his deep love of music, and the warmth he brought to everyone he met. He had an unforgettable laugh, a generous heart, and never met a stranger. His legacy lives on through the family he loved so deeply, the friendships he nurtured, and the countless memories filled with laughter, love, and music that will continue to echo for generations to come.
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