John Crenshaw

“Johnny” John Hascal Crenshaw, 71, of Brookeland, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, February 9, 2022. He was born December 16, 1950, in Port Arthur, to Ruth Mae Noble-Crenshaw and Hascal Franklin Crenshaw. Johnny was the youngest, with two older sisters Mary and Norma.

Johnny grew up in the house his dad built on the corner of Lincoln and Monroe in Groves. He enjoyed the neighborhood because there were probably 20 kids around their block, and they would play and make up some pretty good games. The games were all started or invented under the streetlight in his front yard. Per Johnny, “The most famous and original were Purse and Hubcap. These two were known all over Groves and Port Arthur but they started under that streetlight on the corner of Lincoln and Monroe.”

In his younger years Johnny enjoyed going to their family camp on Frog Pond. He would leave early in the morning with cut offs, no shoes and a pocket full of cookies and stay in the woods or on the lake all day long. He loved to fish on frog pond and knew every nook and cranny on that lake.

Johnny was baptized at Friendship Baptist Church when he was 11. His dad helped build their first Church and they attended there until he was 14, then started attending First Baptist Church in Groves. He was a member of the DeMolay’s as a young man and was a graduate of Port Neches – Groves HS class of 1970.

Johnny’s first marriage was to his high school sweetheart, Pamela Anderson on June 2, 1972. They had three daughters whom he adored, Shanna, Tonya and Leslie. He was a hardworking, devoted, loving father that instilled his life lessons in his girls. He showed his love through teaching everyone, especially his son-in-laws and grandkids his knowledge of how to build and fix things.

Per Johnny, his most important life lessons are,

–           “Treat others better than you would treat yourself.”

–           “Always tell the truth.”

–           “Do whats right because it’s right.”

–           “Help people who need help… not because you should, but because you want to.”

–           “If you look for the good in people you will always find it.”

–           “True Love is the most powerful thing in this world.”

Johnny’s hobbies were hunting, fishing, some golf, and carpentry. He learned his carpentry and handy man skills starting at a young age from his Uncle JG Crenshaw. Uncle JG sparked his love for carpentry which continued throughout his life as a side hobby.  Johnny started at Texaco Asphalt Plant in Port Neches on May 14, 1973 as an operator. He retired on September 30, 2010 from Motiva Enterprises but he didn’t really retire. He moved to the beach and continued to work and build things for people. The AARP Crew, which they liked to call themselves, did side jobs and remodeling for Sandy Shores and surrounding areas. Motto of the AARP Crew, “Once a Member Always a Member.”

On the inside cover of one of Johnny’s books is written, “You can’t put true love where it doesn’t exist… You can’t hide true love where it does exist.” Johnny met his true love, Pamala Davis, and they were married on September 26, 2005. Pam had two daughters Kendra and Kimberly whom Johnny loved as his own. Johnny and Pam lived at the beach for many years until deciding to move to the lake. They purchased their new home which they adored in April of 2021 in Brookland, Texas close to Lake Sam Rayburn. They were so excited to finally live the retired life with an added bonus of living so close to their dear friends Steve and Liz Gilchrist.

Johnny never failed to show the important people in his life exactly how he felt about them. He loved his five daughters, 11 grandchildren, and 1 great grandson with all his heart. Johnny followed the word of God…… Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. He always did anything he could to help a fellow friend, coworker, or acquaintance by giving his time, money, or possessions. The epitome of true self-sacrifice was seen by all who knew him.

Johnny is survived by his daughters Shanna Roland and husband Marcus; Tonya Richard and husband Josh; Leslie Culbertson and husband Jason; Kendra Davis; Kimberly Cramer and husband Freddie; bonus son, Brad Cooksey; grandchildren, Kaytlyn, Drake, Gavin, Ashton, Olivia, Braden, Evan and wife Jasmine, Kaley, Emily, Cash and Beau; one great grandson Jackson; one godson Cayde Cooksey; Sister, Mary Bullerman and husband Rusty; niece, Mandy Varner and husband Ryan; nephews, Joseph Garcia; Stephen Bullerman and wife Dori.

Johnny is preceded in death by his father, mother, and sister Norma.

Goodbyes are not forever. Goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean I’ll miss you, until we meet again!

A gathering of Mr. Crenshaw’s family and friends will begin at 1:00 p.m., with his memorial service at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, February 20, 2022, at the Sevenne Hall at Broussard Farm, 10714 East Clubb Road, Beaumont, Texas 77705. Cremation arrangements for Mr. Crenshaw were handled through Broussard’s Crematorium, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland.

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