Raymond Leslie Crooks

Raymond Leslie Crooks was a country boy from Oklahoma, who often slept in a woodshed as a child in order to make room in the house for his siblings. He later became a Christian missionary on the island of Jamaica, a pastor, a professor, and president of a Bible college. He most recently enjoyed residing at Liberty Heights Retirement Campus in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 17, 2015, at the age of 84, after a brief bout with cancer.

The sixth of twelve children, “Ray” was born to Pearl and Goldie Crooks on March 24, 1931, in May, Oklahoma. Born into a farming family, Ray’s favorite pastimes were rounding up cattle, running rims down the dirt roads with sticks and listening to the melodic howling of coyotes in the night. Ray’s world was delightfully turned upside down, when the Arthur Dockum family moved to town and he was introduced to Lavena Marie, the new pastor’s daughter. They were married on August 26, 1950. The upstanding Dockum family humorously lamented the fact their daughter chose to marry “a Crook.” Still, Lavena’s father proudly performed the ceremony. Ray and Lavena welcomed their baby girls Pamela Jeanne, in 1952, and Patricia Anne, in 1954.

A year later, Ray and Lavena answered the call to missions for the Church of God (Holiness) and relocated with their two young daughters to Jamaica. They would serve on the island for a total of seven years. In ensuing years, Ray would hold numerous positions in both ministry and academia throughout the United States, including stints in Eldorado Springs and Mexico, Missouri, Gravette, Arkansas and Fairbanks, Alaska. He also served as president of the Kansas City College and Bible School. Throughout his career, Ray served on several Church of God (Holiness) boards, including the World Mission Board, Home Mission Board and the Publishing Foundation Board.

Ray’s entire life was marked by selfless and sacrificial acts of service. An extreme people person, he was happiest visiting and pastoring. Known for his compassionate heart, Ray and Lavena were claimed as second parents by people who loved them from all over the world. At home, Ray enjoyed the solace and tranquility of his 60 acre ranch. A “gentleman farmer,” Ray raised vegetables, grazed cattle, and loved working with wood, building clocks, tables and other works of art. The more character the wood had, the more Ray loved to work with it. In his final years, Ray devoted himself to caring for his bride, Lavena, who survives him. He also poured himself into service as a beloved volunteer at Focus on the Family, where for the past two years he made calls to donors, thanking them for their contributions and praying for their needs.

In addition to Lavena, his wife of 65 years, Ray is survived by his children, Pamela & Howard Robinson of Olathe Kansas, Patricia & Mark McNab of Divide, Colorado; his nine grandchildren, Michelle & Lyle Witt of Cincinnati, Ohio, Mathieu & Evelyn McNab of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Letisha Robinson of Merriam, Kansas, Ashton & Kezia McNab of Divide, Colorado, Jill & Neil McRae of Castle Rock, Colorado; and his five great grandchildren, Bryan, Landon, Emily & Julie Witt, Knox McNab, brothers, Frank Crooks of Bonita Springs, Florida, Haskell Crooks of May, Oklahoma and sister Blossom Key of Salome, Arizona.

Ray’s favorite blessing comes from the Book of Numbers (6:24-26). He would desire all who loved him and whom he loved, to know just how deeply the Lord loves them: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kansas Christian College, 7401 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS 66204.