Robert M. "Bob" Crabtree

Robert M. (Bob) Crabtree, 70, passed away on March 10, 2011, at Holston Valley Medical Center, Kingsport, TN.

Bob was born in Damascus, VA, on April 4, 1940, and grew up in the Saltville, VA area. He was the son of Sylvester and Fayetta (Bowling) Crabtree. Bob was a star athlete on his football and track teams at R. B. Worthy High School in Saltville, where he graduated in 1958. He received a football scholarship to Virginia Tech where he played halfback and safety at a time when players were required to play both offense and defense. After college, Bob married his high school sweetheart Kay DeFriece, his wife for 47 years.

Having earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering, Bob worked for Olin Corp. in Charleston, TN, for three years. He then accepted a position with Tennessee Eastman Company in Kingsport where he worked for over 32 years until he retired in 1999.

He was an elementary football coach in Indian Springs for several years, a devout Christian, and an active participant in his church. Bob loved meeting people and renewing old friendships. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and attending their activities.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, and by his son Steve Crabtree. He is survived by his wife Kay Crabtree; his daughter Lisa Young and her husband Derry of Morristown, TN; his daughter-in-law Melissa Crabtree of Blountville, TN; his brother Fred Crabtree and his wife Peggy of Kingsport, TN; his niece Tracy Lilly and her husband Gary of Bristol TN; his nephew Eric Crabtree and his wife Stacy of Woodstock, GA; grandchildren Madeleine Young, Grant Young, Bryson Crabtree, and Carson Crabtree.

Special recognition and thanks are due his son-in-law Derry Young for being a faithful and loving caregiver for the past few months.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Monday, March 14, 2011 at East Lawn Funeral Home, with funeral service at 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home, burial will follow at East Lawn Memorial Park.

Please visit our website at www.eastlawnkingsport.com to leave a condolence for the family. East Lawn Funeral Home is honored to serve the Crabtree family.