903-455-4110
coker@cokermathews.com
5100 Interstate 30 (at US-69), Greenville, TX 75402
Wendell Ray Crom, obituary portrait — Coker-Mathews Funeral Home

In Loving Memory

Wendell RayCrom

Date of Birth June 23, 1927
Passed Away On August 8, 2018
At Age 91 years
Resident of Greenville, TX
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 Wendell Ray Crom, 91, much loved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother, passed away on August 8, 2018 in Greenville. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Coker-Mathews Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Crom was born on June 23, 1927 in Holmwood, Louisiana to Lennie Ray Crom and Ella Hermsmeier. He married Rosilyn Hobbs in Birmingham, Alabama on February 19, 1966. Wendell went from the struggles of the Depression to become an accomplished mechanical engineer with a degree from University of Arkansas after serving in the Army during the Korean War. He worked an amazing variety of jobs. Before college he worked on a farm, in a rock quarry and in a steel mill. After earning his BS, he worked on the Saturn V rocket for NASA, Air Force One with E-Systems, and many other significant projects. He was a faithful husband for 52 years, who loved music, playing the banjo, chess and fixing things. His resilience, strength, resourcefulness and creativity left a beautiful legacy.

 

 He is survived by his wife, Rosilyn Crom of Greenville; son, Elden Wendell Crom of Tucson; daughters, GlenEll Naomi Bandy and husband Duard of Little Rock and Julana Crom Shmaefsky and husband Brian (Bobby) of Houston; brother, Carol and wife Jo of Garland; grandchildren, Lenell, Lacey, Park, Duard Jr., Josey, Betsy, Peter, Katie, Tim, Kasey, Kelsey, Kaitlyn, Kaylee and Sonny; great-grandchildren, Ami, Cameryn, Tryston, Timothy, Weston, Eli and Sarah.

 He was preceded in death by his brothers, Lowell and Russell and sisters, Naomi and Lenora.

 

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Condolences (9)

L
Larry Williams Conroe, TX August 20, 2018
"Many things I remember over my life from Papa Crom: many events, many experiences, and many sayings, such as:
* “Dog food, dog food; feed them what’s on sale”
* “Bulls make a little, bears make a little, pigs go broke”

However watching him taught me important lessons over my life. Here are three lessons from his living that mean a lot.

First the fellowship :
We would go out the "the 40 acres and all pick up pecans on the land. It was nice and peaceful with only talking between us going on. Also I loved watching him sing with the family (usually Uncle Russell, Uncle Lowell, and Uncle Carol; and evolved to others as brothers aged). And I enjoyed sitting in the living room reading with everyone else while Papa Crom played the banjo. These times taught the importance of togetherness without other distractions.
In 1 John 1:7 it talks about this saying "but if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."

Second serving with humility:
I remember the first date coming to pick up Julana at her house to go watch a Greenville basketball game. When I arrived at her home, there was this big guy in a straw hat with the top of it missing. I just thought it was the gardener. Later that night when I dropped her off and saw her parents I realized it was Papa Crom. I learned he had many straw hat that he liked to wear. Also he supported friends as equal regardless of where they came from. Delbert Arrington was a expert mechanic and a good person. Papa Crom had all his knowledge and degrees where Mr. Arrington may not have graduated college. Papa Crom valued his knowledge and treated him as equal or better. Lanell Jeter was another case that showed how Papa Crom helps people regardless.
In Phil 2:1-4 Paul wrote "Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also from the interests of others." When we work together, caring for the problems of others as if they were our problems, we demonstrate Christ's example of putting others first.

Third is love:
Papa Crom loved his wife Momma Crom. He loved his children Sissy, Julana, and Elden. He loved his brothers & sisters. He loved people adopted into the family
In 1 Cor 13:1-8, Paul talks about the greatest gift being love. Love makes our actions and gifts useful. Although people have different gifts, love is available to all.

Papa Crom we love you."
A