Paul Ray Crews, 68, of rural Slater, MO, died Sunday, April 9, 2023, at his home.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, April 14, 2023, at First Christian Church in Marshall with Rev. Randal DeMasters and William W. Harlow officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Friday at the church. Private family inurnment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorials be made to Slater FFA Alumni (to be used to create a scholarship in Paul’s name) or First Christian Church in care of Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com.
Born October 19, 1954, in Ft. Benning, GA, he was the son of the late Ray Linwood Crews and Velma Jean Hayes Eads. Paul lived in Saline County most of his life and graduated from Marshall High School in 1972. On December 27, 1975, he married Linda E. Jones who survives of the home. He earned his bachelor’s degree, and several other degrees through the years, from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Paul had a passion for educating and helping young people to become successful in their life. He taught agricultural education and served as the FFA advisor at Slater High School for 23 years. He then continued his career by serving as director of Saline County Career Center for one year, principal at Slater High School for 7 years, and then went back to his passion of teaching at Glasgow High School. He was a well-respected member of the education community and had been a member of the Missouri State Teachers Association and Missouri Vocational Agricultural Teacher Association (MVATA) since 1976. Paul had been recognized as MVATA Teacher of the Year and awarded the Distinguished Service Award. He was currently serving as president of the Retired MVATA. To honor all of his years of service and dedication to students in agricultural education, Paul was awarded an honorary State Degree from the Missouri FFA Association and an honorary American Degree from the National FFA Organization. Paul was proud of his education he received at Mizzou and was a member of Mizzou Alumni and supporter of the Tiger Scholarship Fund. He was active in numerous community and agricultural organizations including the Missouri State Fair Foundation, Saline County Fair Board, current president of the Orearville School Board and a member of the 401 couples club. Paul was a member of First Christian Church in Marshall where he had served in various capacities including two terms as chairman of the board and serving as an elder and deacon. While much has been said about his teaching career and dedication to his students, Paul was a proud husband and father, but nothing compared to him being “Pap” to his three grandchildren whom he absolutely adored.
In addition to his wife, Linda, of the home; he is survived by two children, Zachary Crews (Lauren) and Tiffany Thornton (Blaine), all of Slater; his cherished three grandchildren: Charlot and Conrad Thornton and Ralston Crews; his step-father, David Eads of Marshall; one brother, Troy Eads of Marshall; his mother-in-law, Kathryn Jones of Marshall; three sisters-in-law: Sherry Shannon (Wayne) of rural Marshall, Charlene Crawford of Marshall and Ginny Johnston (Bill) of Woodstock, GA; a brother-in-law, Kenly Jones of Columbia; two aunts, Sherron McAllister of Jacksonville, FL and Billie Crews of Canton, GA; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins; and a multitude of former students.
In addition to his father and mother; Paul was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Charles Roy Jones; and one brother-in-law, George Crawford.