Reginald Carl "Reggie" "Coach" Crosby

Reginald Carl “Reggie” Crosby was born at home in Bastrop, Tx on April 15, 1941, to Riley Green Crosby and Sarah Lona Elizabeth McCauley.

His early life was lived in Bastrop, TX through the seventh grade. That early life was spent just being a boy in a small town (baseball, fishing, BB guns, etc.). His family relocated to the West Texas town of Abilene. Adjusting to a larger school opened up a whole new path in sports and music.

As someone who loved to sing, Reggie began singing in First Baptist Church in Bastrop but enrolled in choir classes in Abilene. He participated in the high school mass choir and the high school acapella choir for four years. Reggie continued to sing in college choir, quartets, and madrical singing.

But his true love was sports (football and baseball). Reggie was fortunate enough to play football at Abilene High School during its 1950 hey days and play for the legendary high school coach Chuck Moser. And in baseball he played for state champion coach Blackie Blackburn. These coaches had a huge influence in his approach to coaching young people. Coaching was always what Reggie wanted to do in life. He also played baseball in college.

Reggie’s desire to teach and coach led him to begin college at Tarleton State, where he became involved in baseball, choir and ROTC. He was very proud to be a part of the Wainwright Rifle Military Drill Team they marched in the governor’s inauguration parade, New Orleans Mardi Gras and President Kennedy’s inaugural parade.

But while at Tarleton, tough times forced Reggie to go different paths during the 1960’s. Such as truck driving coast to coast, heavy equipment operator, construction, business owner – all of which culminated in 1965 when Reggie entered the U.S. Army for 3 years. The first year was spent in the U.S. and then he was shipped to Heidelberg, Germany where he was assigned to USENUR and 7th Army headquarters as an administrative specialist. In the Army, Reggie received the award as outstanding trainee in basic and along with the good conduct medal, Reggie was awarded the Army Commendation medal. Upon his discharge in 1968, he set his sights on what he always desired, a college degree to enable him to teach. He received his BS from Southwest Texas State (now Texas State) and began his teaching career in Kingsville, TX- while teaching and coaching there, he received his master’s in education and administrations certificate from Texas A&T (now Texas A&M at Kingsville).

After 7 years in Kingsville, he moved to Santa Fe, TX and began teaching/coaching in SFISD. Reggie coached varsity football and became the head cross country/track coach in 1980.  During the 1980’s, many cross country/track athletes competed at the state level. Reggie said, “I was blessed to coach a lot of hardworking athletes.” Many of those athletes ran at the college level. As a coach Reggie was inducted into the Gulf Coast Scholastic Track Coaches Association Hall of Honor in 2012. In 1990, Reggie moved into administration at Santa Fe high school until his retirement. But retirement from education was short lived. Over the years he was called back as an administrative substitute and also as a volunteer track coach. During this time Santa Fe established the Reggie Crosby relays in 2008.

But Reggie’s role in education took another turn. He became the principal/head administrator for Arcadia First Baptist Christian School.

But until 1978, Reggie was a confirmed bachelor until his best friend’s cousin (Ruth Long) came into focus. They were married in 1978. She became the greatest thrill in Reggie’s life.

But through all that transpired in his life, his greatest joy was knowing Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Jesus took the talents he gave him, and Reggie became a worship leader. Before his retirement from SFISD, Reggie became the worship leader at Arcadia First Baptist Church. Along with that, he was licensed into the gospel ministry and served Arcadia for over 25 years.

Reggie made many friends over his many years, but he must acknowledge his best friend he met in college - Johnny Findeisen. Johnny invited Reggie down to Santa Fe to hunt and fish. It wasn’t long until his family took him in as their own, and he became an official member after marrying Ruth. What a ride. Reggie always said that he felt blessed beyond measure.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Riley Green and Sarah Lona Elizabeth (McCauley) Crosby, Jr., sisters, Paula Goerner, Lona (Bunny) Crosby; brother Riley Crosby, Jr. and wife, Ann, Frank Crosby and wife, Nell; brothers-in-law, Bob and Jim McCray.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Ruth (Long) Crosby; son, Sparky Locke and wife, Lisa; daughter, Regina Crawford and husband, Duane; brother-in-law, Clyde Lauzon and wife, Mary; grandchildren, Michaela Crosby and fiancé Payton LeMaire, Alexander Locke, Jane Locke, Marshall Crawford.

A celebration of life will be held on December 14, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.  with visitation beginning at  10:00 a.m. at Arcadia First Baptist Church, 14828 Highway 6, Santa Fe, TX.

Memorials in the form of donations may be made in Reggie’s name to Arcadia First Baptist Church School Scholarship, Post Office Box 128, Santa Fe, TX 77517.