Curtis H. Crabtree

CRABTREE, Curtis H. “Crusty” age 79, of Tipp City, OH, formerly of Kettering, OH, passed away on Thursday, December 4, 2025. Curtis was born on October 31, 1946, to the late William and Maxine Pearl (nee Hoop) Crabtree, in Wilmington, OH. He attended Belmont High School before enlisting in the U.S Army. Curtis was a proud veteran who had served in Vietnam. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, Curtis returned to the Dayton area, where he eventually began a long career with the City of Kettering Parks Department. In 1999 he retired from the Parks Department as the Parks Superintendent.

Curtis was an avid sports fan and could often be found cheering on his beloved Cincinnati Bengals and Ohio State Buckeyes. He loved being outdoors especially on the water and spent countless hours fishing the intercoastal waterways and lakes of Florida and, most recently, boating on Grand Lake St. Marys. Curtis loved to golf and especially enjoyed his time spent with friends on the course. He was a longtime member of the Falcon Club in Dayton where he made countless friends over the years. Curtis’s caring and honorable spirit will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

When Curtis’s cancer journey began in 2021, he made a vision board with four goals: Busch Light, boat rides, fire pits and cigars. He achieved those goals and was determined to live every day to the fullest.

He is preceded in death by his first wife of 46 years, Diana (nee Wheeler) Crabtree; and son, Eric Crabtree.

Curtis is survived by his wife, Julie (nee Raiff) Crabtree; son, Bill (Tanya) Crabtree; granddaughter, Haley King; brother, Earl (Jean) Crabtree; nephews, Mark and Andy (Danielle) Crabtree; sisters-in-law, Dolores, Debbie, and Doris; niece, Teri (Pete) Kuzma; nephews, Tim Jones, Shane (Kim) and Shawn (Micah) Brunello, Matt (Pam) Jones, Matt Kirkman, and Larry (Carrie) Brunello; and numerous extended family and friends.

A graveside ceremony with military honors will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, December 19, 2025, at Dayton National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Victory Ridge Hospice (Dayton VA Medical Center, 4100 West Third Street, Dayton, OH 45428, c/o Victory Ridge).