Obituary of Leon Crabtree

Leon Coley Crabtree was born in Durham , the son of Albert and Pearl Crabtree. He was one of six sons and one daughter. All six sons served in World War II and all returned safely home. Mr. Crabtree served in the US Army from 1941 to 1945, serving in the 82nd Airborne. He worked at Duke University as a manager of M&R storeroom and Chemistry Lab. Later he worked as a building contractor for 30+ years in Durham and surrounding areas. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Geraldine Couch, his son Barnette Crabtree and wife Cindy, daughter Ellen C. Brooks and husband Gene, daughter Gail Crabtree, son David Crabtree, daughter Amy Haynes and husband Ryan. Predeceased by Deborah, wife of son David Crabtree. Survived by grandchildren Stacy Crabtree, Kim and Randy Stewart, Matthew and Holly Crabtree, Catherine and Bryan Tompkins, Dianna Dennis, Knox and Stella Haynes; great grandchildren Andrew, Sophie, Jackson, Lydia and Audrey Stewart; Mary Ellen Tompkins; and Joshua, Gray and Julia Crabtree. Predeceased by Matthew Douglas Stewart. Mr. Crabtree is also survived by his brother Sam Crabtree. His family would like to thank the staff at Amerdisys Hospice Services for the wonderful care he received and Joseph Zanga, MD and the staff at the Durham VA. Funeral services will be held at Duke Memorial United Methodist Church, on September 12, 2011 at 2:00, interment to follow at Maplewood Cemetery following the service. In lieu flowers donations may be made to Duke Memorial UMC. Walker's Funeral Home of Hillsborough is assisting the Crabtree family.