Thomas Wayne Crabtree

Thomas Wayne Crabtree was born October 12, 1951, and died of natural causes at his home in Kingsport on July 21, 2026. His beloved pet companions, Annie, Fergie, and Charlie, were by his side, as they always were. He was predeceased by parents, Thomas F. Crabtree and Ruby Price Crabtree, and his wife, Pam (nee Perkins). He is survived by his brother, Jamie L. Crabtree (Kate) of Chester, VA; his sister, Jo Ann C. Chenell (Paul) of Monee, IL; his ‘big brother’, William Roger Clark (Ursula) of Lawton, OK; his uncle, Carroll Wayne Price of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; his nephew, Travis J. Crabtree of Saltville, VA; and his nephew, Eric Anthony Bower II (Haley, Skyler, Thomas) of Meadowview, VA, who proclaims to this day that Uncle Tommy has been his life-long hero.

He lived his life surrounded by incredible cousins, uncles, aunts, and grandparents that he admired and loved. He treasured his friends from R.B. Worthy, the US Navy, and the US Marine Corps.

Tommy attended R. B. Worthy High School, where he loved football and playing ‘Wildwood Flower’ and ‘Wipeout’ on guitar with his brother, Jamie. He attended Virginia Tech before enlisting in the Navy. There, he was embedded as a medic with the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.

After his service in the military, he was certified as an X-Ray technician and served many patients at area hospitals, culminating his career at the Kingsport Trauma Center.

He was an avid, life-long learner. He studied herbology and hypnosis; became a master bread-maker; and learned the art of calligraphy and re-caning antique chairs. He supported and participated in his wife’s hobbies of making corn shuck dolls, photography, and painting. He became a Reiki master. He had a proverbial green thumb, and loved helping Daddy and Moma harvest and can their garden vegetables. When Moma’s eye surgery resulted in partial loss of sight, he took her arm gently in his and shepherded her close enough to see her beautiful daylilies . . . close enough to get colorful dabs of pollen on her nose.

Ever a student of science and lover of animals and nature, he enthusiastically explored unique experiences, including participating in Native American sweat tent ceremonies, numerology research, and firewalking.

He rode horses, milked cows, roofed buildings, rescued kittens, grew mushrooms, played football, biked Tumbling Cove, waded in the creek, rejoiced at seeing fireflies, felt awe as falcons flew over the treetops, flew June bugs on a string, picked raspberries and blackberries, built bonfires, zinged pennies against dry ice at family hamburger fries in the bottom, watched the stars while lying in the orchard grass, made molasses with Homer Davenport, baled hay down the valley with James, Johnny, and Uncle Syl . . . and gave the best hugs ever.

He always stood at the ready to support, comfort, and inspire his parents, siblings, and nephews. He cared tirelessly for his invalid wife. He entertained with his comic wit and intelligent puns. His unconditional love, and all that he was, are deeply embedded in us as reminders to strive always as hard as he did and to engage in the pursuit of knowledge.