Don Ray Crook, beloved brother, father, “Papa” and friend, passed from this world on Dec. 18, 2023, to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Services were held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20 at the Calvary Baptist Church with Pastor Terry Williams officiating. Burial immediately followed in Childress Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.
Family visitation was from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, at Johnson Funeral Home.
Born Oct. 26, 1930, in the family farmhouse in the Olympus community, north of the Red River, the son of Joseph Donald and Laura Carl Crook. Entering this world two months early and only a little over two pounds, the attending doctor told his mother not to name him, as he would not live. However, a determined and loving neighbor and midwife, with a wood burning stove, serving as an incubator, nursed baby Crook to a healthy, young infant. Graduating from Childress High School, he then attended Texas A&M University, where he was in the Corps of Cadets and the Fightin’Texas Aggie Band. After two years, his father become ill, and being the only son, he had to return to operate the family farm, where he has continually farmed and ranched to this day. He married the love of his life, Betty Bryan, on June 26, 1952.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Donald and Laura Carl Crook; his loving wife of over 60 years, Betty Louise Bryan Crook; brothers Harold Malloy and JC Malloy; sisters Maxine Crook Gail, Shirley Crook Barnes and Mildred Crook Allen; and daughter-in-law Janice Schubert Crook.
He is survived by children Bryan Ray Crook, of Lyons, Texas, Terri Brook Cobb and husband Dave, of Childress, Texas, and Mendi Crook Walker and husband Dennis, of Childress; grandchildren Chris Taylor and wife LeeAnna, of Tucson, Ariz., Jana Junek and husband David, of Lyons, and Ali Flores and husband Jake, of Pampa; great-grandchildren Declan Taylor, of Tuscan, Trey Flores, of Pampa, Texas and Cheyanna Junek, of Lyons; special friend Lolita Smothermon; sisters Lois Crook Smith, of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Jo Crook Thomas, of Lubbock, Texas; many nieces and nephews and a faithful, loving and hardworking farm dog, Buddy.
Don Ray lived his values and devotions. His strong faith in Christ, devotion to family and commitment to community guided his life. Devoting his life to agriculture, Don strived to be a responsible steward of the land in his commitment to conservation of natural resources. His efforts and leadership not only had an impact on his own diversified operation, but also on the county, state and national levels. He was especially honored in 2021 by the State of Texas when the Crook Farm was recognized as a “Family Land Heritage” operation for over 100 years of continuous production under the same family ownership.
In addition to operating a fulltime cotton, wheat, hay and cow-calf operation, Don and his late wife, Betty, owned and operated Crook Fish and Garden store for 32 years that began as a market for fresh catfish produced on the Crook Farm’s commercial fish operation.
Don felt a strong conviction to giving back to the community and being a servant leader.He touched many lives through his work and witness. A few of his involvements were:
• Member of Calvary Baptist Church since early 60s, deacon at Calvary Baptist Church since 1970 and youth Sunday school teacher for 50 years.
• Childress County Farm Bureau Director for 56 years.
• Farmer-elected member of the Childress Farm Service Agency (FSA) Committee, formerly Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS), for 15 years;
•Member of the Texas State ASCS Committee, appointed by the White House, for four years;
• Childress County Precinct 4 Commissioner for 16 years;
• County school board member and president;
• Co-op Gin Director;
• Gate City Electric Board member;
•Chamber of Commerce Director;
• County Program Building Committee Chairman; • Childress Beautification and Business Enhancement Committee member; • 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) longtime supporter and Adult Leader. Although very humble of any recognition, some of Don Ray’s honors were:
•4-H Leader Award;
• Production of Food and Fiber Top Hand Award (1980);
•Outstanding Young Farmer (1984);
•King and Queen of Old Settlers (Don and Betty, 2004);
• Featured, including a front-page photo and cover story, in the “Farmer- Stockman” magazine (2004);
• Childress Lifetime Achievement Award (2015);
• Texas Farm Bureau Pioneer Award (2016). In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Childress Regional Medical Center Hospice, P.O. Box 1030, Childress,TX 79201.
