F.G. Crofford's Obituary
F.G. Crofford, 94, of Amarillo died Saturday, January 5, 2019 in Amarillo.
Funeral Services will be on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at 10:00 AM at South Georgia Baptist Church in Amarillo, Texas. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon, Texas at 2:00 PM.
Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
The family will be at 6100 Yale Street in Amarillo on Monday, January 7, 2019 from 4-6 PM, and Visitation will be at the Funeral home in Clarendon on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 from 4-6 PM.
F. G Crofford was born in Clarendon, Texas on August 24, 1924, to Floyd and Gracie Crofford. He grew up on a farm milking cows, and like a lot of boys, knew there had to be a better way. He graduated from Lelia Lake High School in May 1942. After graduating, he played basketball at Clarendon College until he started his military service at the age of 19. Six months after entering the Army in April 1944, he found himself in the 102nd Infantry Division in General George Patton’s Third Army. He was a radio technician. He was wounded in The Battle of The Bulge in late 1944 and early 1945, and again in a push from the Rhine to the Elbe River in Germany. For those two injuries, he was awarded the Purple Heart Cluster. He was honorably discharged in April 1946. It was shortly after he returned home to Clarendon that April, that he met his soon-to-be bride, Bonnie Drake. They married on June 8, 1946 in Clarendon, Texas. He then finished his education at Clarendon College, and got his bachelor of science degree in physical education and later a master’s degree from West Texas State University. He and Bonnie lived in Colorado for a short time so he could help his dad on the dairy farm. While there, he played some semi-pro baseball. Then they headed back to Texas. His first job was in 1951, at Sunray, Texas, coaching boy’s football and basketball. While at Sunray, on November 25, 1952, he and Bonnie welcomed twin girls, Karen and Sharon. He coached and taught in Sunray, White Face, Pettit, Claude, Friona, Gruver, and Spearman. He retired in 1985 from coaching/teaching career with 32 years in the school business and 721 wins in basketball. He guided the Claude girls to the 1962 state championship-one of five trips to the state tournament. He then worked for Horace Mann Insurance for 10 years. F.G. was a pioneer in bringing girls’ basketball to the Texas Panhandle. He was the first president of the Texas High School Girl’s Coaches Association in 1964-65, was an All-Star Coach for the North for the T.H.S.G.C.A. in 1978, received a distinguished service award in 1984 for his outstanding service and his unselfish devotion to interscholastic league athletics, was awarded the Special Achievement Award from the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame in 1985, was inducted into the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame in 1990, and was chosen as an honor coach for the Texas Girl’s Association in 1998 for his outstanding contributions to girls’ basketball.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Gracie Crofford, and a little sister Bobbie.
He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Bonnie, two daughters, Karen Floyd and husband Jimmy of Amarillo, Sharon Mills and husband Mike of Amarillo, five grandchildren: Kristi Reed and husband (Frank) of Benbrook, Kimberli Phillips and husband (John) of Amarillo, Cassie Angeley and husband (Wade) of Littlefield, Kyle Mills and wife (Jenny) of Celina, and Jason Floyd and wife (Samantha) of Amarillo. He is also survived by 14 great grandchildren: Bryant Young, Brenna Young, Mikayla Phillips, Grant Phillips, Brae Mills, Keigan Mills, Dylon Redman, Bradyn Redman, Kambree Angeley, Trenton Angeley, Tracen Angeley, Landyn McKay, Paizley Floyd, and Rhett Floyd. He is also survived by one sister, Margie Phillips and husband (Red) of Amarillo, several nieces and nephews, and a multitude of former students.
Donations can be made to America Supports You Texas or South Georgia Baptist Church.
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