Bobby Howell Crumb

Bobby Crumb, 83, passed away on November 13, 2024 surrounded by family in the care of hospice in Kennesaw, Georgia after his second battle with cancer. Bobby was born on March 16, 1941 in Cocke County, Tennessee and was the son of Laskiah Crumb and Tansy Lee Bible. Bobby was the eldest of two boys sharing his life family with his late brother Kenny. Bobby was raised on a farm and even from a young age had lots of work around the property. From handling the livestock, training hunting dogs, to taking care of the grounds, there was always work that needed to be done, and he was happy to do it. He and his brother would laugh and make games of the chores that needed to be done, but stepping in and stepping up for the family was also just a part of how he was raised. Although he did not have a lot of worldly goods, he had a very close network of loved ones. In his own words, he “was a very happy child”, and he did not think he “had a need for anything else” with a family like that. He eventually moved on from farm life and went on to attend Carson-Newman alongside his high school sweetheart, Lyvonda. Growing up without much, he was able to attend on a full-ride scholarship for baseball. However, he took his academics seriously much like everything else he did. Even though there were late nights and long days of practice and study, he didn’t slack or fall behind in either his baseball career or his studies. This is no more evident than when he almost was able to become a professional baseball player for the Washington Senators. However, with an injury changing his course, he still went on to continue to compete and work hard to graduate as an aerospace engineer. With this he would go on to find himself working at Lockheed-Martin. That is where he would spend the next 40+ years working, creating, and solving problems. He was integral in minor projects and massive programs from fiber optics to the creation of F/A 22-Raptor. His work was so important and appreciated that Lockheed even named a part after him called the “Bobby.” He was someone who started out with nothing, and he became a world-recognized and respected aerospace engineer. Through hard work, dedication, grit, and resolve he became someone truly important to the field. He considered this to be his greatest achievement. He is a man that did not know the word quit, and he would go on to work every single day, even past retirement. After leaving Lockheed officially, he would go on to still work and consult until his very last days. However, this would not be the thing that made him the happiest. Just like when he was a kid, that has been and was always his family. Because many people got to call him Bobby, but only a few got to call him Papa. This is why beyond his work, he would find his most cherished memories and happiest moments to be the birth of his two daughters, the life he made with his life partner, the games he played and coached with his grandkids, and the vacations and love he shared with his great grandkids. Even until the end, he spent his weekends working and fixing problems for others, building fences, repairing roofs, and being a handyman to anyone who needed it. Words cannot describe enough how incredible of a man he was. He loved the Lord, he worked hard in everything he did, and he loved his family. Through it all, he always fought, always loved, always worked, and always cared for others more than himself. Thank you Papa, for all that you have done. You have given all of us more than we could have ever imagined. You have provided, you have protected, and you have loved us more perfectly than any of us deserved. You were always a good man who fought hard and worked hard for those he loved. It is only because of you that this family is anything like it is. We owe our beautiful lives and wonderful memories to you. We know that God is good because we could have had anyone as our Papa, but God gave us you. You will be missed, and you will forever be in our hearts. He is survived by his life partner Lyvonda Crumb, his daughters Melissa Crumb and Betsy Green, his grandchildren Jordan and Jacob Gwozdzik, Kaylyn Green, Roberson and Terren Green, and his great-grandchildren Theodore and Penelope Green. There will be a visitation Friday, November 22nd from 5pm to 7pm EST at Mayes Ward Funeral Home at 180 Church Street NE, Marietta GA 30060. There will then be a celebration of life service on November 23rd at 10am EST at His Hands Church at 550 Molly Lane, Woodstock, GA 30189.

Bobby Howell Crumb

March 16, 1941 - November 13, 2024