Russell Bryan Crosby

Rev. Russell Crosby, age 80, of Gatesville, Texas, passed away Friday, December 2, 2011 in Gatesville, Texas. Services are scheduled for 2:00 PM Tuesday December 6, 2011 at The First Baptist Church in Gatesville, Texas. Burial will follow at Restland Cemetery in Gatesville, Texas. The family will receive visitors from 5 to 7 PM Monday at the funeral home. Rev. Russell Crosby was born on April 29, 1931 in Youngwood, Pennsylvania. He was the son of the late Ed and Bertha Ritchey Crosby. He graduated from Greensburg High School, Pennsylvania, in 1949. During his high school years, he was active on the wrestling team. He became a Christian on October 1, 1949. He married Donna Riethmiller on September 5, 1950 in Greensburg. He graduated in 1953 from what is now Crown College in St. Bonifacius, Minnesota. He pastored churches in Hawley, Oylen and Nimrod, Minnesota. He also pastored churches in Cumberland, Maryland and El Paso, TX. He and his wife moved to Central Texas in 1968. They lived in Richland Springs and Center City until moving to Gatesville in 1972. He pastored Baptist Churches locally, in Center City, Liberty near Gatesville, Fairview near Evant, Searsville in Valley Mills, Canaan near Crawford and Turnersville. He was preceded in death by his sister, Jeanne Barron; grandchildren, Shiloh Nolte and Luke Phillips. He is survived by Donna, his wife of sixty one years; children, Rev. Tim Crosby and wife Darinda of Gatesville, Dr. David Crosby and wife Janet of New Orleans, Tom Crosby and wife Dr. Monica Crosby of Houston, Dr. Danny Crosby and wife Diane of Cleburne, Rev. Jon Crosby and wife Shirley of Temple, Becky Phillips and husband Rev. Bob Phillips of Gatesville, Joe Crosby and wife Brenda of Nolanville, Deborah Ford and husband Rev. Jonathan Ford of Gatesville, Rev. Sam Crosby and wife Jan of San Saba, Sharon Westerfeld and husband David Westerfeld of Crawford, James Crosby and wife Joy of Temple, Mary Nolte and husband Rev. Jason Nolte of Midland, Prof. Matthew Crosby and wife Amber of Temple; brother, Dr. Glenn Crosby and wife Jane of Spokane, WA; thirty-three granddaughters, thirty-three grandsons and thirty-five great grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Church of your choice.