HERSCHAL CROW

1935 - 2015

March 30, 1935 - July 22, 2015 OKLAHOMA CITY Herschal Crow was born in Victory, Oklahoma, west of Altus, on March 30, 1935. He passed away on July 22, in Oklahoma City. He was 80. Herschal was the only child of H.H (Herschal) Crow, Sr. and Nova Inez (Hensley) Crow. Herschal attended Altus High School, where he earned All Dist. and Hon. Men. All State honors in football, and he was named All Dist. and All State in basketball in1953. Herschall went on to attend Oklahoma A&M (now OSU), on a basketball scholarship, playing for the renowned coach Henry Iba. Herschal also played football, and he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. At A&M, Herschal met Elizabeth (Betty) Small, the daughter of Dr. George and Katherine Small of Tulsa. Herschal and Betty graduated in 1957, were married in Tulsa, and moved to Altus, where Herschal coached basketball and football. They were members of the First United Methodist Church. Herschal also served in the National Guard. Throughout these years, and for the rest of his life, he worked and managed the family farm.Herschal's career in politics started in 1968, when he was elected to the Oklahoma State Senate. Herschal served as Assistant Majority Leader of the Senate in 1973-74, and Chairman of the Appropriations and Budget Committee from 1974-1980. In the Senate, Herschal led the effort to secure funds for Western Oklahoma State College (WOSC), worked substantially on agriculture rights issues, and was instrumental in completing State Highway 62 to Altus. Herschal served in the Senate until 1982, when he bought Lee Office Equipment. Herschal became President of the Altus Chamber of Commerce in 1986, and was appointed Chairman of the Altus Military Affairs Comm. between 1988-1992. Herschal was appointed to the Board of Tourism in 1994, and Gov. Frank Keating appointed him to the Department of Transportation in 1995. Herschal served as Chairman of ODOT between 1995 and 2001, when Gov. Keating appointed him to serve as Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation. Herschal served on the Bd. of Dir. of the NBC Bank of Altus, the Okla. Foundation for Excellence, and the Okla. Heritage Assoc, and in his retirement he was a member of the the OKC Men's Club and OKC Economics Club. The Fine Arts Center at WOSC is named after Herschal. Herschal loved history, particularly Roman and European history, and traveling with Betty and friends. He enjoyed reciting poetry, and Oklahoma State athletics. Throughout his years in political service, Herschal made life-long friendships with many wonderful Oklahomans, and he cherished those relationships. In 2001, Herschal and Betty bought a home in Oklahoma City and joined Westminster Presbyterian Church. He is survived by Betty and his sons David, of Altus, and Carter, of Houston, with his wife Meredith, and Herschal's three grandchildren, Walker, Charlotte and Thomas. Herschal loved Betty and he was devoted to his sons and grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church or the Mercy Foundation. A Memorial Service will be held Monday, July 27, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4400 N. Shartel, Oklahoma City, OK 73118.