Jesse Carl Crosson Jr.

Jesse was born on September 24, 1942 to Jesse Carl Crosson, Sr. and Wilma Crosson (nee Freeman) in Tampa, Florida. After graduating from Hillsborough High School in 1960, he went on to study Education at the University of South Florida in Tampa where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education and was the first in his immediate family to graduate from college.

He dedicated his life’s work to teaching in the Hillsborough County schools, where he taught fifth and sixth grade math and science to students at Pinecrest Elementary and Turkey Creek Middle Schools. He served as President of the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association 1988-1992 and then continued working for the union representing teachers throughout Hillsborough County until he retired. He and his wife worked to integrate the public schools of Hillsborough County, participated in the civil rights movement in Florida, and continued to advocate for racial justice in Florida and beyond.

In 1959, he met Merrilyn Crosson (nee Uhrig) while working together at a local grocery store. They were married August 24, 1963. They had two children, Jesse Carl (Jay) III and Leigh.

After retiring, Jesse volunteered his time as a guardian ad litem in Hillsborough County, helping numerous children in the foster care system for over fourteen years and was recognized for his service by the State of Florida, receiving a commendation signed by Governor Charlie Crist. He also enjoyed spending many hours working on his native plant garden and was an advocate for xeriscaping and for Florida wildlife.

Jesse was predeceased by his parents, his brothers James Ellis and Richard Elton and his sister Jan Kelley. He is survived by Merrilyn, his wife of 59 years, his son Jay (Nicole Isaacson), and daughter Leigh (Michael McMullen), and two grandsons David Isaacson (age 26) and Elan Isaacson (age 21).

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his honor to the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa Florida.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.StowersFH.com for the Crosson family.