Lt. Col. Manning Lee ”Buddy” Crump, 81, of Greenville, ran to the arms of his precious Savior Wednesday, July 12, 2023.
Funeral Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 15th at Coker Mathews Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jimmy Vaughn officiating. Visitation will be Friday, July 14th, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Coker Mathews Funeral Home.
Buddy was born April 18, 1942, in Sherman, Texas to Odis Lee Crump and Ruby Barnes Crump. He married his beautiful bride, Wilma Dean Crump, on February 1, 1969, in Fort Worth, Texas at Carswell Air Force Base. Together they celebrated 54 years of marriage. Buddy graduated from Hazelwood High School in Hazelwood, Missouri. He then went on and graduated from the University of Tulsa with a B.S. in Business Management, and from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska with his M.S. in Business Administration. Buddy had a distinguished career in the United States Air Force, retiring after twenty years with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Buddy possesses an Aeronautical Rating as a Command Pilot with over 4,450 Flight hours in KC-135 and RC-135 Reconnaissance aircraft. Buddy held prestigious positions while on active duty in Greenville as Commander of Detachment 2, 2762 Logistics Squadron and as Commander of Defense Contract Administration. Responsibilities included ensuring the performance of programmed depot maintenance, modification of Presidential and cabinet-level aircraft, and the performance of equipment modifications and testing in coordination with various programs. Upon retiring from the Air Force, Buddy was Manager of Airfield Operations/Safety at Raytheon Systems. After retiring from L3 Communications, Buddy served as the City’s Airport Manager and Chairman of the Airport Advisory Board for several years. His innovation and forward-thinking led to the building of the current airport complex, and the acquisition of the Self-Service Fuel Tank currently utilized at the airport with his name displayed on a plaque depicting his vision and long-term service.
He was a devoted member of Authentic Life Fellowship and served as the ”National Treasure” for his lunch posse. Buddy enjoyed fishing, and spending time with his family and friends, and he loved to tell stories from his days as an Air Force pilot. Those that knew him knew he loved big. He was generous, kind, humorous, and a dear friend to many. One of his most special titles was Dad, ”Pop Pop,” and ”Pops.” He adored his children, grandchildren, and precious great-granddaughter. He was everyone’s biggest prayer warrior.
He is survived by his wife, Wilma Dean Crump, his son, Donald Lee Crump and wife Jennifer Crump, his daughter, Denise Davis and husband Keith Davis, his treasured grandchildren, Skylar Davis, Bailey and Hanna Davis, Macey and Zak Sexton, Jacob Davis, Colton and Hannah Crump, Hunter Crump, and Jessica Crump, his newest great-granddaughter Adalyn Lee Sexton, his sister, Jeannie Hardgrove and brother-in-law Robert, his sister-in-law Marilyn Boucher, sister-in-law Beverly Canner and husband Demmon, his nieces, and nephew, and numerous family members that meant the world to him.
Waiting for him in Heaven were his loving parents, Odis and Ruby Crump, and his two best friends, Cocoa and Honey.
Pallbearers are Larry Goss, Mike Warren, Bryan Goodwin, Josh CT Slinkard, Terry Thomas, Jim Powell, James Brown, and James Evans. Honorary Pallbearers are Raymond LaFavers, Dr. Jim Sandin, PA Jim Sanders, Don Strauser, Robert Moore, and Pavel Finnegan. Buddy’s heart was to trust the plan of his Heavenly Father, and he did just that.
Memorials may be made to Authentic Life Fellowship, 1914 Joe Ramsey Blvd. E, Greenville, Texas 75402 or Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org
