John Willis Crews Jr.

John Willis Crews Jr. of Eustis, Florida, passed away peacefully on August 10, 2025. He was born on February 4, 1938, in Otter Creek, Florida, to Johnie Willis Crews Sr. and Verde Mae Crews. As the eldest of ten children, John grew up surrounded by a large and loving family.
After graduating high school, John enlisted in the United States Army, where he began his career as a helicopter mechanic and served one tour in Vietnam. Upon returning to the States, he was accepted into flight school and became a skilled helicopter pilot. Over the course of his distinguished military career, he rose to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4 and retired after 25 years of honorable service.
Following his retirement, John and his wife, Marta Ann Crews, settled in Eustis, Florida, where they raised horses and built a peaceful life together. John found joy and purpose working in his greenhouses and growing a wide variety of plants that he sold to local plant shops.
John is survived by his beloved wife, Marta Ann Crews; his children: John Crews and wife Denise of Bainbridge, Georgia; Charles Phillip Crews of Erwin, Tennessee; Joseph Crews and wife Andrea of Norman, Oklahoma; and Kristin Clark of Mount Dora, Florida. He was a proud grandfather to Bradley, Ashley, Justin, Autumn, Asher, Jason, and Jade, and a cherished great-grandfather to Charlotte, Emaline, Avery and Weston.
He was preceded in death by his son, Clinton Aaron Crews, who passed on April 8, 2023; his parents, John Willis Crews Sr. and Verde Mae Crews; his sisters Johnnie Mae Yawn, Cynthia Ann Pitts, Darlene Delores Sapp, Naoma L. Hunlock; and his brothers Roger W. Crews and Theodore J. Crews.
John loved his wife and children deeply, and shared an especially close bond with his youngest son Clint. Their relationship was filled with compassion, laughter, and unconditional love. Clint brought immeasurable joy to John's life, and their connection remained a source of strength and comfort until Clint's passing in 2023.
John's life was marked by quiet strength, deep faith, and unwavering devotion to those he loved. He will be remembered for his wisdom, his gentle spirit, and the legacy of kindness, service, and resilience he leaves behind.
A memorial service will be held at Friday, August 15, 2025 at 1 P.M. at Baldwin Brothers Funeral and Cremation Society. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude's Hospital.