David M. Crabbe

David Meredith Crabbe, 70, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014, at home with family at his side. He was born July 20, 1944, in Springfield, Missouri, to Max and Betty Crabbe. He had a lifelong love of the Army and because of this he was a member of the Pershing Rifle Drill Team in high school. He joined the Army in 1964 and was discharged in 1968 due to hearing loss. He graduated from nurses' training and most of his working years were in the medical profession.

He married Linda Underwood in Stockton, Missouri, on July 5, 1969. The couple lived and worked in Missouri except for six years in Montana in the '70s and returned to Montana after retirement in 2006. He felt he was "coming home" to Montana.

He had many hobbies throughout his life, including Civil War re-enacting.

He was a lifelong history buff and was conversant with many different aspects of this subject.

Dave was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He also had special unofficial adopted daughters, Julie Long Small, Tara Duvall and Carolyn Fincher. He took great pride in his family. He did not make friends easily, but those he called friend had his complete loyalty.

He was preceded in death by his father, Max; mother, Betty; infant twin brothers; fraternal and maternal grandparents; and father-in-law, Jim Underwood.

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Linda, of Clinton; two children and their families, Amanda (Dustin) Woodworth and their daughter Dakota; son, Jason (special friend Kat) and his son Connor of Bremerton, Washington; sister, Kathy (Adolfo) of Florida; brother and sister, Don and Teresa Barr of Clinton; brother-in-law, Wesley Underwood of Germany; mother-in-law, Lorene Underwood; and numerous nieces, great-nieces and great-nephews.

He will be cremated with services at a later date at Fort Harrison Nation Cemetery with full military honors.
Read David Crabbe's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.