Porter Claude Crapps III

Porter Claude Crapps III obituary, Live Oak, FL

Porter Crapps Obituary

Mr. Porter Claude Crapps, III, a respected civic leader, banker and forester, died peacefully at his home in Live Oak, Florida on December 19, 2013, surrounded by his family. He was 76 years old.
Claude is survived by his long-time companion Jackie Kent Dove, his three children Thomas and wife Cris, Steve, Nancy, and five grandchildren. Claude is also survived by his siblings, Betsy Burch, David Crapps, Peat Crapps, Virginia Johnson, John Crapps, Dicy Hannum, and Daniel Crapps. Claude was preceded in death by his father, Porter Claude Crapps, Jr., and his mother Mary Elizabeth Parker Crapps and his adopted mother Virgina Birchfield Crapps, as well as brothers James and George.
Claude was born in Gainesville, Florida and lived his earliest years in Hines located in Dixie County, Florida. The Crapps family relocated to Melrose, Florida for a short period of time from Hines before settling in Live Oak, Florida in 1951. Claude enrolled in Suwannee High School, where he graduated in 1955, and attended Clemson University studying Forestry. He graduated from Clemson in 1959. During this time, Claude became an avid and life long Clemson Tiger.
Following graduation in 1959, Claude served in the United States Marines Corps followed by 6 years in the Reserves. During the time that he was in the Reserves, Claude returned home to Live Oak and worked with his father in First National Bank of Live Oak, the Hamilton County Bank of Jasper, and on the family's timber holdings. He remained employed with the First National Bank and the Hamilton County Bank of Jasper, and later became Chairman of the Board of Directors of both banks, until the banks were sold to Barnett Banks. He continued to worked at Barnett Bank as vice-president and commercial lender before retiring from banking in 1992.
After retiring from the banking business, Claude returned full time to his love of forestry and "working in the woods." He could often be found repairing fences, hanging gates, plowing fire lanes or preparing game plots for hunting leases. Truly Claude was happiest when he was outdoors and working on his farms. Further, Claude's interest in forestry was reflected in his commitment to reforestation and state wide forestry management. Claude was appointed by Governor Claude Kirk as member of the Florida Forestry Council in 1968. He continued to serve this state-wide board with distinction until his death, only missing one meeting in 45 years. Furthermore, Claude was recognized a member of the Society of American Foresters, recognized as a Certified Forester by the State of Florida and a recipient of the the Distinguished Forestry Alumnus Award by Clemson University for his life-time work in forestry.
Claude strongly believed in civic participation, and worked to make Live Oak a better place. He was a member of numerous civic clubs, including the Rotary Club, Director for the Advent Christian Village and Advisory Board, Member of the Suwannee County Development Authority, the Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce, the Suwannee County Fair Board, the Florida Farm Bureau, Member of the Florida Farm Bureau Advisory Committee, Trustee for the Live Oak Police and Fire Pension Funds, Member of the Endowment Board for the Florida Sheriff's Boys Ranch, and a Member of the North Florida Community College Foundation Board. Among his many honors, Claude received the Suwanee County Citizen of the Year in 1980, and on September 22, 2013, he received the Mayor's Community Service Award from the City of Live Oak for his long, continued service to our community.
Claude will remembered for the trust that he inspired in the community, as shown by the number of individuals who asked him for help with their finances or to administer their estates. Further, he will certainly be remembered for his humor, including his "gifts" during Rotary Christmas parties, and the quiet way that he helped people by giving them his time and resources. Claude takes with him his family's love, and will be remembered for a job well done as a good and faithful steward of God's gifts.
A private funeral for Claude was held on December 21, 2013 at Live Oak Cemetery at sunrise. A public memorial service is planned for Saturday, January 11, 2014 at 10:30 am at the First United Methodist Church. The family requests that in lieu of flowers that individuals make gifts to one of the following charities that Claude supported: Friends of Heritage Park and Gardens, 1004 Helvenston Street, Live Oak, Florida; 32064; Advent Christian Village, 10680 Dowling Park Drive, Live Oak, Florida 32060; and Florida Sheriffs' Youth Ranch, 2486 Cecil Webb Place, Live Oak, Florida, 32060.
Please sign the guest book at danielsfunealhome.com. Daniels Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc. of Live Oak and Branford is in charge of all arrangements.

Published by Lake City Reporter on Dec. 24, 2013.
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12-25-2013-My heart goes out to every member of Claude's family-I pray God provides you with an abundance of the comfort, peace, and acceptance necessary to cope with the loss of such a wonderful gentleman and one of the finest human beings I've ever known. I met Claude when I began working with the Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce as an 18 year old who knew very little about the Live Oak business & civic community. For the next 10 years, I spoke with him in person or via telephone at least 3-4 times a week regarding business & civic activities. He treated me with such respect and understanding throughout those years and he showed me personal kindness & friendship at a time when I desperately needed it and when kindness & understanding were scarce commodities for me-though he stood to gain absolutely nothing in return. He was wise and taught me by example much about how human beings should treat one another, and was so patient about teaching & explaining things to me. Though I made many mistakes, he always helped me remedy things and never got angry even though sometimes I know I unwittingly caused him extra work and time. Many times I know Live Oak's business/civic community asked far more of Claude than they asked of most other businessmen there. I attended numerous meetings with him and he never failed to save me a seat right beside him and to help me in any way he possibly could. He also never failed to either properly conduct meetings or to participate fully and willingly in the business at hand. When the community needed something, Claude never said NO. Claude also encouraged me to pursue goals I thought I could never achieve-Claude is the person who made me believe I could become an attorney if I wanted to & was willing to do the work involved and his encouragement is part of the reason I returned to school & got a law degree. He was always a bit late for nearly every meeting-because he was so generous with his time, advice and resources, because he helped so many, many people, and took his responsibilities so very seriously he was always pressed for time. He did all tasks he undertook correctly and with great wisdom, skill and generosity. In turn, I always made my special fudge for Claude (and other attendees) to eat at meetings-Claude never failed to enjoy that fudge, compliment me on it, and remind me to have it for him at the next meeting. I encouraged him to ride horses so he could have a bit of relaxation & quiet time-he enjoyed riding outdoors and I believe he was able to find some respite from the constant demands life made upon him through that activity. Miss Jackie was a Godsend and I always teased him about marrying her-I know she meant the world to Claude as did his children & family. The very last time I saw Claude was several years ago-he gave me a big hug and I gave him a peck on the cheek. I shall remember him as a truly good and decent man-there are precious few of those in this world. I shall also remember him with great affection, respect, admiration and gratitude all the days of my life. It was an honor to know & work with Claude and I thank God for the privilege of working with and knowing him for many years. He leaves a void in the community & in the hearts of all who knew him-he will be sorely missed. I mourn his loss- somehow I always felt a little safer and better knowing he was in the world. All my sympathies go to his family. Some losses we aren't meant to get over-we are only meant to learn to accept and live with them and this is certainly such a loss.

Doris Stanley Bradley, LLB

December 25, 2013

Love you

December 25, 2013

I am sorry for your loss I would like to share a scripture with you at Genesis 3:17-19 sincerely DM.

December 24, 2013

Claude was a truly good man, something that few can claim. I thoroughly regret not having kept in closer touch as the years went by.

My sympathies to his family and close friends. He will be long remembered.

Joe Flynn

December 24, 2013

A very special person that will be missed by so many.

Anita Cannon

December 24, 2013

Claude's demise will leave a noticeable gap in the community. He was a true gentleman. Our family offers up its condolences to all of you. May God grant you comfort.

Brad/Sam Barnett

December 24, 2013

Claude Crapps was a fine man whom will be missed by many. My God comfort the family during this time of loss.

Lloyd Bailey

December 24, 2013

Service Above Self.

H Gilstrap

December 24, 2013

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Memorial Events
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Jan

11

Memorial service

10:30 a.m.

First United Methodist Church

FL

Funeral services provided by:

Daniels Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., Live Oak

1126 Ohio Avenue North, Live Oak, FL 32064

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