Albin Watson Crabtree

ALBIN WATSON CRABTREE AUG 18, 1910 - MAR 28, 2011 Albin Watson Crabtree, 100 years of age, passed away of natural causes with family at his side on March 28, 2011 in Modesto. Albin was born August 18, 1910 to Luther Crabtree and Edith Vera Crabtree at Roberts Ferry, east of Waterford. A country doctor, arriving by horse and buggy, assisted as he entered the world on a neighbor's (George Nelson) dining room table. He attended Elementary School by driving his horse and buggy, along with his younger brother Derald and his school teacher. It was customary in those days to have the teacher live with the parents of students. Albin had lived in Roberts Ferry, his entire life and in the same house on Crabtree Road since he was nine years old. He met the love of his life, Berenice Rebman, a Stanford educated registered nurse, at the Modesto hospital while she was taking care of his mother. They married on April 2, 1939. Albin graduated from Modesto Junior College and then spent his entire career as a dry land grain farmer, growing barley and wheat in the rolling hills of east Stanislaus County. He also raised cattle and pigs. Albin was baptized at Community Baptist Church in Waterford when he was eight years old and has been a member ever since. Albin spent many of his retirement years on the horseshoe pitching circuit. He was a Class B California State Horseshoe Champion in 1973 and was inducted in the Northern California Horseshoe Pitching Association Hall of Fame in 1977. Albin and Berenice moved to Bethel Retirement Community in 2006. Albin is preceded in death by his son Dennis Richard Crabtree, his parents, Luther Watson Crabtree and Edith Vera (Webb) Crabtree and his brother Derald Ray Crabtree. He is survived by his wife of 72 years Berenice (Rebman) Crabtree, his son Robert W. Crabtree (Janet), his son William A. Crabtree (June), his daughter Catherine Edson (Rick), Grandchildren, Campbell Crabtree-Mansur, John Crabtree-Ireland, Tara Richardson, Jason Crabtree, Zachary Edson, Ellison Crabtree, Aaron Crabtree, and Webb Crabtree, Great grandchildren, Alexander Richardson, James Richardson, Veronika Edson, Anthony Edson, Emma Crabtree-Ireland, Henry Crabtree-Mansur, and Aidan Crabtree. The family attended a grave side service on Saturday, April 2, 2011. Pastor Don Crooker officiated and Jeanne Kampen was the soloist. Albin was a true Country Gentleman and a man of his word. He was a loving and caring husband, father, uncle, grandfather and great grand- father. He will be missed by all. We thank the caregivers of Bethel Retirement Community, Provident Care, the Visiting Nurse Association and Community Hospice for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Community Baptist Church, P. 0. Box 155 Waterford Ca. 95386, or to your favorite charity. www.modbee.com/obituaries