Paul Lamont Crosby's Obituary
Paul Crosby Obituary
Paul Lamont Crosby was born on August 6, 1952 in Millersburg, Ohio to Lloyd and Gladys Crosby. Paul was the youngest of five children and spent most of his early years in Killbuck, Ohio. In 1966, Paul and his family moved to Clayton, Oklahoma. It was there that Paul met Elane Herrin, who became his high school sweetheart. He graduated from Clayton High School in 1970.
The summer after his high school graduation, Paul attended the first Christ In Youth conference in Honobia, OK. It profoundly impacted his life. The next Sunday at his home church in Clayton, he committed his life to full-time ministry in the church. That fall, he began training for ministry at Midwest Christian College. Paul and Elaine were married March 26, 1972 at the Midwest Christian College Chapel. Upon graduation, Paul was awarded the Charles Willbanks Outstanding Student Award, which included a trip the Holy Lands.
Paul furthered his education by earning his Master's degree from the Bethany Nazarene College (Southern Nazarene University). On January 23rd, 1977, Paul was ordained into the preaching ministry at Mimosa Heights Christian Church.
Paul served as the minister of 4 Independent Christian churches during his 32 years of ministry. These churches included Mimosa Heights Christian Church, Cleveland Christian Church, Lakewood Christian Church, and South Tulsa Christian Church. He was the founding minister of Lakewood and South Tulsa Christian Churches. Paul served on the board of Ozark Christian College for 14 years.
In 2003, Paul became a professional homebuilder and established Crosby Enterprises. This led to many construction projects in the Tulsa area, building homes in the Woodview Heights, Churchill Park, and Stonebrooke subdivisions. Whether employing people during times of need, or building homes for ministers without personal charge, Paul's business was an extension of his ministry.
Paul had varied interests in his life. He taught himself to play the guitar in the 8th grade. He continued to play for personal enjoyment and in many ministry events. Paul's family and friends loved hearing him pick away at 70s rock songs like Hotel California, Stairway to Heaven, and Dust in the Wind. In high school, basketball was a main focus, a focus which continued into college. His freshman year in college, Paul was the top scorer in the state of Oklahoma for junior colleges. This led to him being recruited by Central State University and University of West Virginia. Paul chose to remain focused on his training for the ministry. Later in life, Paul enjoyed flying airplanes, even becoming a certified flight instructor. A life-long learner, Paul more recently enjoyed coin collecting and the history behind different coins.
Paul and Elane celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year. Surviving family include his wife, his three daughters, Rhesa Storms and her husband, Brent, along with their children Braden and Elana; Alyssa Hart and her husband, Kristopher, with their children Britton and husband, Ben, Camdyn and husband, Yohannes, and Samuel; Carissa Miller and husband, Michael with their children Easton, Emmy, and Cohen. He is also survived by his sisters, Yvonne Tinkey and husband, Richard of McAlester, Betty Taylor of Brownsville, Texas, and Marilyn Gingerich and husband Merle of Millersburg, Ohio.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Jan Dix.
Paul loved a good joke and was a prankster. His life and laughter added joy to his family and friends. His heart was big, gentle, and kind. His love for family and friends ran deep. Paul's favorite New Testament leader was Barnabas the Encourager. Many present today would say that, like Barnabas, Paul was an encourager to them.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to one of these two organizations that were important to Paul: Bright Tomorrows or Orchard Group
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