HORTENSE — Donald Edwin Crews, 64 of Hortense, passed away Sunday, November 16, 2025 after a hard-fought battle with cancer.
A 1979 graduate of Wayne County High School, Crews served four years in the United States Air Force before marrying his love, Christy, in 1985 and settling in his hometown of Hortense where he lived his life exactly as he wanted to.
Crews was known by many names — “Top Gun” to some and “Einstein” to others, both of which refer to his ingenuity and ability to figure anything out. His most important names, however, were and are husband, daddy, son, brother, uncle and friend. His love and loyalty to those he cherished was unbounding and he continues to live on in their memories.
Crews is survived by his wife of 40 years, Christy Duren Crews; his daughters, Emily “Sweetpea” Crews and Caitlin “Scooter” Crews; parents, Roy and Josephine Crews; brothers Dennis (Dawn) and Mitchell (Angela) Crews; a sister, Sarah (James) Lee; nephews, Kurt and Kaleb Crews and Dalton Lee; and niece, Emma Hall.
A private services will be held at a later date.
The family ask for donations to Mayo Clinic Cancer Research in lieu of flowers or material gifts.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup is in charge of arrangements.
