L.D. "Little Darling" Crumly Jr.

L.D. Crumly Jr., affectionately known as "Little Darling," died September 1, 2004, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He loved his life, loved his family, valued his friends and loved his country; he was 85. Born on August 27, 1919, in Aransas Pass, two weeks before the great hurricane of 1919, he was the youngest and only son of Luther and Irma Spriegel Crumly of Aransas Pass. His parents and two sisters, Vaunda Camden and Joyce Brooks, preceded him in death.LD spent his childhood fishing, raising vegetables with his mother, and working various jobs around Aransas Pass until he graduated from Aransas High School. The day he graduated from high school, LD left town and drove all night to work in the oil fields. He worked his way up in the oil field with Loffland Bros. Co. - working as a roughneck, derrick man and driller before ultimately becoming a partner in his own drilling company. LD began his World War II military career after graduating May 24, 1943, Class 43 E, from the Pampa Army Flying School. He served as an instructor and in World War II as a pilot with the Air Corps that later became the U.S. Air Force. He served in the China-Burma-India theatre, flying C-46s and C-47s over the Himalayas in what was known as the "Flying the Hump.'He married Marie Manitzas on April 25, 1954, in San Angelo, Texas, and they moved to Imperial, Texas, where LD was working in the oil fields of West Texas. The couple later moved to Midland and raised five sons.The couple moved to Corpus Christi in 1973, where LD operated Camden Drilling Company with his brother-in-law and friend, Dude Camden. In addition to oil and gas, he also pursued several other business interests, including banking, stocks and real estate, and had a special insight into the importance of water. He was on the board of directors and was involved in several public companies and financial institutions in Corpus Christi, Houston, Midland and Rockport, Texas. He was regarded as trustworthy, extremely fair and honest and known for getting the business at hand finished. He touched many people's lives by his friendly charismatic presence, his engaging smile and the most beautiful blue eyes. In addition to his business interests, LD loved spending time with his family which was the center of his life. He enjoyed playing tennis and golf until he was into his 80s and was very involved in his children's sporting activities.He enjoyed traveling with his wife and five sons to various spots around the world and had a particular fondness for Hawaii and its lifestyle - especially the "Big Island." He loved Macadamia nuts covered in chocolate, ice cream, chocolate malts, small bottles of Coca Cola, peanuts, popcorn, Fritos and Cracker Jacks.LD is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marie Crumly of Corpus Christi, Texas; five sons and their families: Douglas Crumly and wife Jennifer and sons Camden and Connor, of Odem, Texas; Richard Crumly and Stefanie Scott of San Antonio, Texas and Austin, Texas; LD Crumly III and wife Andrea and son Robert of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Nicholas Crumly of Corpus Christi, Texas; David Vaun Crumly of Pacific Palisades, California; nephews Terrell Brooks and wife Regina of Aransas Pass, Texas; Randall Brooks and wife Stephanie of Aransas Pass, Texas; sister-in-law Mary Manitzas of San Angelo, Texas; brothers-in-law ,Frank Manitzas of Coral Gables, Florida; George Manitzas of Freeport, New York; D.N. Manitzas of Little Rock, Arkansas; and their families; cousins, and countless friends. Special gratitude to caregivers, doctors, hospitals and hospice and support of friends.Visitation hours will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday September 6, 2004, at Seaside Memorial Park. The Memorial Service will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 7, 2004, at First United Methodist Church in Corpus Christi.