Ronald Charles Crossman

Ron was born on August 22, 1933 to Arthur Baldwin Crossman and Anita Delores Picard Crossman in Detroit, Michigan. He grew up in University Park, Dallas, where he loved swimming at the local pool, raising his pet duck Oscar, and playing football for Highland Park High School until his graduation in 1951.

Ron was the first in his family to attend college, earning a petroleum engineering degree at the University of Texas in Austin in 1955. There, he participated in Air Force ROTC, became a devoted Longhorn football fan, and made lifelong friends as a member and President of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity.

Ron entered Active Duty in the U.S. Air Force in 1955, serving as a Petroleum Officer in Tripoli, Libya, and Aviano, Italy. He was honorably discharged from the Reserves as a Captain in 1967. He was proud to serve his country, and his years overseas gave him a deep appreciation for the freedoms and privileges he enjoyed as a U.S. citizen.

Ron began an almost 40-year career with Exxon while still a college student, working summers in oil fields, at the King Ranch in 1960, then in Houston until his early retirement in 1992. Exxon sent him to Long Beach, California for a year in 1964, where he enjoyed living by the ocean and listening to The Beach Boys.

Exxon was also where Ron met the love of his life, Halene Lipe Crossman, who worked as a Corporate Secretary. (He didn’t hold it against her that she was an Oklahoma Sooner!) They were married at Saint Luke’s United Methodist Church in Houston on May 7, 1971 and spent the next 53 years devoted to one another, building a life rich with friends and adventures. Ron and Halene enjoyed socializing with The Cadre and The Forum, hosting dinner groups, and attending the Houston Symphony and other cultural productions. They shared a passion for travel, traversing the globe and learning about other cultures. Among Ron’s favorite trips were China, Antarctica, the Norwegian fjords, and Alaskan cruises. He passed on his love of downhill skiing to his family and cherished their family vacations to Breckenridge, Colorado. Ron adored dancing with his wife at every opportunity (they were always the last to leave the dance floor) and, in later years, their Friday night nibbles and TV dates.

In 1975, Ron and Halene moved to Kingwood and welcomed their beloved only child, Colette Michelle Crossman Reyes. Ron was thrilled to have a little girl and became a doting father, present for every important event and tirelessly supporting her endeavors. His favorite times with Colette were telling bedtime stories, YMCA father-daughter campouts, and Saturday morning breakfasts at Denny’s. When Colette married in 2009, Luis Reyes became the son Ron never had, and he treasured their relationship. The birth of their twin daughters, Lyla and Sofia Reyes, in 2014 brought Ron infinite joy, and he adored being their “Dado.”

Ron was the definition of a servant-leader and a pillar of his community, giving his time and resources generously to countless organizations. He was President of Space City Ski Club of Houston in 1968-70 and the first President of the Texas Ski Council. He faithfully volunteered for decades at Society of St. Stephen, delivering food and sorting items for those in need. He sat on the Board of Directors at the Lake Houston YMCA and raised funds for their scholarship campaigns; in 1986 he was named Lake Houston Volunteer of the Year by the YMCA of Greater Houston. Ron also held leadership roles with the Kingwood Texas Exes Club, the ExxonMobil Retiree Club of Lake Houston, and Kingwood Country Club. He spent many years as a Republican Precinct Election Official, working the polls as a Precinct Election Judge.

In his 49 years as a member of Kingwood United Methodist Church, Ron filled many roles including usher, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, U.M. Army leader, and Lay Delegate to the Texas Annual Conference of the Methodist Church. He especially treasured his men’s group, Sunday School classes, and Bible studies. Ron and Halene joined Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church in 2024 after moving to Austin.

Ron will be remembered for his strong faith, infectious smile, and gentle spirit. He radiated kindness and positivity to the very last. In the face of many trials, including a 12-year battle with cancer, he never complained, was accepting of whatever life brought, and trusted completely in God. His perseverance remains an inspiration to all who knew him.

Ron is survived by his loving wife Halene; daughter Colette; son-in-law Luis Reyes; granddaughters Sofia and Lyla Reyes; and niece Lisa Grace.

A funeral service will be held Monday, March 3 at 10am at Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas. An internment will be held Wednesday, March 5 at 10:15am at the Veterans National Cemetery in Houston, followed by a Memorial Service at 1pm at Kingwood Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or the Society of St. Stephen in Kingwood, Texas.