Perry "Gene" Crosson

Perry Eugene "Gene" Crosson Sr., 80, of St. Petersburg, FL, formerly of Albany, GA, passed away on Thursday, March 26, 2015. Mr. Crosson is survived by his wife Dorothy and four children, Karyn (John) Burke, Kathy (Gary) Burke, Gene, Jr. (Kelly) Crosson and Barbara (Jay) Mabee of; grandsons, Kyle Burke, Aaron Mabee, Brandon (Missy) Mabee, Garin Crosson, Ryan Crosson and numerous relatives. He is preceded in death by his parents, Perry Dalton Crosson and Myrtle Dean Crosson Anderson; brothers William, Fred, James and grandson Shane Burke. Mr. Crosson was born in Camilla, GA on June 10, 1934. He joined the United States Coast Guard in 1952 following his graduation from Albany High School. He married his high school sweetheart Dorothy Reeves in 1955. During his Coast Guard career Gene served across the continental USA, the Philippines, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, as well as tours on the USCGC Campbell and USCGC Sagebrush. He retired as Chief Warrant Officer, W4 in 1978 in St. Petersburg. He was a graduate of Tampa College and received his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. He was a Member of the Suncoast Chapter of the USCG Chief Warrant Officers Association, American Legion, USCG Campbell Association, the Military Officers Association of America, AMVETS and Woodman of the World. While in the Coast Guard he medaled as an expert marksman and served as captain of his competition pistol team. Gene was a Christian and an ordained deacon. He was actively involved in the church in each place he lived. He enjoyed family gatherings and outdoor recreational activities including fishing, hunting and boating. In his retirement years he took pleasure in gardening, and was especially passionate about his rose garden. He will be lovingly remembered and missed by all who knew him. Arrangements by Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes of St. Petersburg, FL. Interment at Union Cemetery, Camilla, Georgia. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Vasculitis Foundation, P. O. Box 28660, Kansas, MO 64188-8660.