Thomas Ludy Crosby

Thomas Ludy Crosby “Tommy” passed peacefully from this life May 17, 2023. Tommy was born October 22, 1941 to Thomas Murrah and Sarah Elizabeth Crosby in Houston, Texas. Tommy fondly remembered a childhood growing up in Denver Harbor with his dearly loved sister Patricia and many great friends. Family holidays growing up were spent with his “Freeport Cousins” on his family’s historical property Crosby’s Landing on the Brazos River. Tommy was blessed to be loved by two grannies, his Freeport Granny and his Houston Granny. Deer hunting and fishing were special past times growing up and Tommy shot his first dear, hunting with his dad and his uncle, at just eight years old. He also caught a record-breaking tarpon on the Little Brazos River and made the news at 16 years old. Tommy graduated from Austin High School in 1960 where he played the saxophone in the marching band.

Tommy’s quest for a college education was interrupted by the Vietnam War. Tommy enlisted with the United States Marine Corp and served as a corporal in Vietnam for 13 months. He was honorably discharged in 1966 after three years of duty. In 1976, Tommy went on to complete his degree at the University of Houston, majoring in English and displaying talent in creative writing and poetry. Tommy continued writing even at the end of his life. His articles about the musings of life were regularly published in the Cloudcroft Mountain Monthly.

Tommy met his love Nosrat Crosby “Nosi” at a party hosted by his parents. Nosi immediately caught Tommy’s attention because she was “fun and good looking”. A few weeks later they went on their first date to the prison rodeo in Huntsville, Texas. They were married in 1974 in the chapel of the University of Houston. Tommy and Nosi took an extended honeymoon camping throughout the western US. It was at this time they decided to eventually settle in the mountains. Tommy and Nosi worked and saved for many years to see their dream come to fruition. Tommy built his mountain cabin over three summers with the help of his dad T.M. and his nephew Babak. Tommy’s cabin was always a popular destination for all of Tommy and Nosi’s family and friends.

Thomas Crosby was known for making friends wherever he went. From his time growing up in Houston, to his service in the Marine Corp, his participation in the Kiwana’s Club and the VFW, his volunteer work at the Cloudcroft Chamber of Commerce, and his work as a snow mobile guide at Triple M, Tommy was always going to make friends, tell entertaining stories, and teach you something you did not know. Tommy could be found many nights playing poker at the Inn of the Mountain God’s or at a local poker game with his Cloudcroft friends. "Uncle Tommy" loved his nieces and nephews and all the kids that were in his life. The kids knew that getting picked on by Uncle Tommy and being tickled by his goatee meant he cared for them. Tommy was also a friend to animals. Stray dogs and cats always found a way into Tommy’s home and his heart. His cat Lazarus was his favorite buddy and loved to sit on Tommy’s lap and watch the news with him. Tommy loved his life on the mountain with his greenhouse, his chickens and his goat Oreo. It was a good life.

Tommy was an avid reader of history and loved to study, discuss and share God’s word. Some of Tommy’s very last words were a special prayer that God would welcome him into Heaven. Thomas is survived by his wife Nosrat Crosby and many beloved family and friends from all around the world. He is preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Sarah Crosby and his sister Patricia Bennett Ahlhardt. Thank you to all of those that offered kindness, compassion and help to Tommy during his illness. Funeral arrangements are being held at Forest Park Lawndale in Houston with an Interment service to follow. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Cloudcroft, NM. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the

John D. Rider VFW Post 11999

PO Box 499

Cloudcroft, NM 88317.