ARTHUR AUSTIN CREVASSE

CREVASSE, ARTHUR AUSTIN, 57

Arthur Austin Crevasse, 57, Gainesville, FL

Deceased August 1, 2013, Born January 23, 1956



Austin Crevasse lived just like a character from an Ernest Hemingway novel. He was the Teddy Roosevelt of his generation by figuratively creating his own Bull Moose Party. Austin was definitely a man in full. Arthur Austin Crevasse passed from this earthly palace to be in perpetual harmony with his spiritual being. We are all so lucky to have experienced life with him and look to the heavens now to continue to be in his presence.

Truth be told, Austin was a New Yorker, having been born at New York Presbyterian Hospital while his mother, Carol and father, Dr. Lamar Crevasse were living there during Dr. Crevasse's medical training. Austin would never lead with his New York roots, but he did have a chance to relive them in 2012. Austin travelled to NYC to be at his nephew, Jonathan Lamar's graduation from St. John's University. It was then that Austin revisited his storied past accompanied by his Mom, brother, Lamar and sister-in-law, Barbara (Missy) Crevasse. The rest of that trip is history, but it was definitely as eventful as his birth.

The Crevasse's moved to Gainesville in 1958 when Dr. Crevasse helped to launch the Medical School at the University of Florida. Austin and his family began a whirlwind life of breathtaking adventures - building precious, indelible memories along the way. Austin's childhood was chocked full of the quintessential boyhood escapades of sports, gathering groups of friends to play in the backyard of their house and to conduct the nightly patrols of the neighborhood where no stone was ever left unturned.

Austin was fortunate to travel to Europe as a young child and live in Amsterdam for a year while Dr. Crevasse trained physicians there. He learned how to ice skate, snow ski and toboggan. He taught his new Dutch friends to play American football, baseball and card games. He would have taught them to surf but the water was too cold. The fun of being in the Netherlands just whetted his appetite to travel more and meet people from all walks of life. Austin met heads of state, business executives from major corporations, and extremely important individuals from all over the world. Austin made the greatest impact on the people that he helped who never asked for help. He was unselfish and giving, always ready to pass up his last meal or to pass on his last dollar in order to provide for someone else. He was a hero and a guardian to those he touched, everywhere.

Over the years, Austin lived in Colorado and Paraguay. Each location represented a new beginning and helped to expand on Austin's thirst for more exciting opportunities. Never did he meet a stranger and if there was ice to be broken, Austin was the first to break it. The people he met felt rewarded by his presence through his one of a kind stories or a funny observation of life or a commentary on worldly politics. He learned conversational Spanish and Portuguese without formal instruction, just from being in the presence of the locals. He fiercely protected his family and friends. Austin defended many a person who could not defend themselves or had been treated poorly. He knew personally of injustice and inequality and fought hard to express his point of view on how things should be.

Austin's life is joyfully remembered by his family and friends. He is survived by his mother, Carol Austin Crevasse, his brother Lamar, sister-in-law Missy and their son J. Lamar, all of Gainesville, FL; His sister, Candice Crevasse Scott, brother-in-law Dana and their children Lindsey, Stuart and Alyse of Marietta, GA. Austin's extended family includes many very close friends in Gainesville and around the world.

Austin spent many years at the family's property, Prairie Creek Ranch in Micanopy. The Ranch was a special place for him. He was instrumental in the sale of the over 700 pristine acres to the Alachua Conservation Trust where it is now a publicly open property for everyone's enjoyment.

Memorial Services will be held Thursday, August 8, 2013 at 10:00 a.m., at First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville, 300 SW 2nd Avenue, with the Rev. Dr. Robert Shettler officiating. A Celebration of Life Reception will be that evening, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Prairie Creek Lodge, 7204 SR 234 Micanopy. Please arrive with a terrific memory to share and bright clothes to wear so we can all say "Carry-on Austin before the rest of us get there!"

Arrangements are under the care of WILLIAMS-THOMAS

FUNERAL HOME DOWNTOWN, 404 North Main Street.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

WILLIAMS-THOMAS DOWNTOWN

(352) 376-7556