Julius Paul Crews

Julius Paul Crews, 93, a beloved father, passed away peacefully on February 1, 2021. Paul was born October 3, 1927, in Lake City, Florida. He was the son of late Joseph and Arrie Crews, and he was one of twelve children. His younger brother, Lenvil Crews of Sarasota, Florida, is the only surviving sibling.

Paul was married to the late Betty Laura Johnson. He was a wonderful father to their three daughters: Brenda Gaye Edwards (Danny) of Jacksonville, Florida; Pamela Paul Hutchings (Don) of Winter Park, Florida; and Judy Lynne Hubbard of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

“Papa” was a doting grandfather to eight: Josh Edwards (Jen), Laura Dro (Rob), Wes Edwards (Sarah), Justin Hubbard (Kristina), Cary Brunnemann (Tyler), Julie, Jay, and Brady Hutchings. He was also a great-grandfather of six: Palmer, Caroline, and Leighton Edwards, Hartley and Crews Dro, and Maddyn Rose Hubbard.

Growing up in Lake City, Paul attended Columbia High School and Gordon Military College in Georgia. After his service of duty in the US Army in Korea, he continued his military career until retirement as Lt. Colonel in the Florida National Guard. Paul attended the University of Florida (graduating Class of 1952) where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. The University Extension Service hired him as the County Agricultural Agent in Live Oak, Florida. He assisted farmers and ranchers in Suwannee County for 22 years. Through the years, Paul received many awards and recognitions including Florida Outstanding Young Man Award (Jaycees 1963), Suwannee County Man of the Year (1964), and top University of Florida Extension Program in the nation of 5,540 programs (1970).

In 1983, Paul became a Jacksonville resident and was a member of the First Baptist Church. Paul was an active member of the Mandarin Senior Citizens Center and the Florida Gator Club. A patriotic and devoted Republican, he was involved in the Duval County Republican Party for many years.

For the past fifteen years, Paul has been a resident of Westminister Woods of Julington Creek. He enjoyed the local Jacksonville Senior Olympics, Dance Clubs, and volunteering with Salvation Army on holidays. Perhaps his most treasured time was traveling coast-to-coast to visit his family. He loved to spend quality time with all of his grandchildren. Year after year, Papa visited many of their school classrooms and entertained everyone with funny stories and his impressive ability to say the ABCs backwards! He was the most avid Gator fan and loved tail-gating with all of his family and Florida friends.

With his friendly and optimistic personality, Paul was well-known by the residents and caregivers of Westminster Woods. His family is forever grateful for the loving care he received from the long-term care staff there.

A private family memorial service is planned for Tuesday, February 9, 11:00 a.m. at Deermeadows Baptist Church, 9780 Baymeadows Road, Jacksonville, with interment following at Oaklawn Cemetery. The memorial service will be live-streamed (https://deermeadows.org/live-stream).

Any contributions in memory of Julius Paul Crews may be directed to Westminster Woods Health Care Center Fund for Team Members: [email protected] (904-287-7300 Elizabeth Scholar).