Rex Crumbaugh

Rex R. Crumbaugh, 68, Bethany Township, passed away at home, Monday, March 4, 2013, from cancer. Rex was born June 19, 1944 at the old Smith Memorial Hospital in Alma. He was the second child and first son of Robert and Marcelle (Oswald) Crumbaugh. He was a life-long resident of Bethany Township where he worked with passion at his faming operation, which eventually became Crumbaugh Legacy, Inc.
Like many farm youngsters of the area, Rex was a member of the Beebe Beef 4-H Club and showed cattle at the Gratiot County Fair for Youth.

Rex was a 1962 graduate of St. Louis High School and a 1964 graduate of Michigan State University's Ag Tech program. He married Kathleen Joan Boyd, on July 26, 1964. Together Rex and Kathy and their children farmed corn, sugar beets, wheat, soy and dry edible beans. In their early farm years they raised beef in partnership with his father, Robert and brother, Dave. In 1998, Rex and son, Clay, formed Crumbaugh Legacy, Inc.

Rex served on the Board of Directors for B & W Co-op, the Gratiot County Fair for Youth, and the Chemical Bank and Trust Company Advisory Board. He was an initial inductee to the 4-H Emerald Society and this past summer was instrumental in establishing the Memorial Scholarship Fund for the Gratiot County Fair for Youth. He was a supporter of FFA and 4-H.
Rex loved his grandchildren and watched them participate in sports, school programs, and livestock shows. He always made sure the lake toys were ready and took great pleasure in everyone having a fun time.

Throughout his life, Rex encouraged people. He loved the challenges presented to him and he was determined, positive and confident in himself and his people. Rex and Kathy's travels included some time in Florida and Mexico, but their best trips were the crop tours they took together.

Rex is survived by his partner of 48 years, Kathy; daughter Rachel (Jim) Vallance, Middlebury, IN; son Clay (Christine) Crumbaugh, Bethany Township; and grandchildren Kyle Crumbaugh, Lucy Vallance, and Logan Crumbaugh.; sister Rosemary (Vern) Aultman, Pinedale, WY; brother David (Debbie) Crumbaugh, Rainbow Lake; aunt Joan (Harvey) Farrand, Saginaw; nieces and nephews and many cousins and good friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Marcelle, and Kathy's parents, Clayton and Luella Boyd.

Visitation will be Monday, March 4 from 6-8 PM and Tuesday, March 5 from 2-8 PM with the family present from 2-4 & 6-8 PM at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis. Funeral services will be Wednesday March 6 at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Louis United Methodist Church with Dr. Eric DeVuyst officiating.

Those who wish to make a memorial contribution are asked to please consider Gratiot County Fair for Youth Memorial Scholarship at the Gratiot Community Foundation and The Pardee Cancer Treatment Fund of Gratiot County. Online condolences may be sent to smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, MI.

Read Rex Crumbaugh's Obituary and Guestbook on smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.