Joel Thomas Crum

Joel Thomas Crum, 69, of Ragland, WV, was received into the arms of the Savior on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at 2:22pm, from his residence after a brief illness. Fittingly, he departed this realm surrounded by the singing of his beloved family and some of his closest friends, to then be greeted by the voices of angels in another realm. Born June 18, 1955, at Holden in Logan County, WV, he was the firstborn son of the late Joe Curtis Crum and Thelma Ruth Smith Crum. In addition to his parents, Tommy has several beloved grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins waiting on him in heaven. Tommy was a larger-than-life presence in so many ways, not just the gentle giant that he was. A believer in the Lord Jesus Christ from a very early age, Tommy loved the Lord with his whole heart and soul; he poured his entire life into glorifying God. An accomplished musician surrounded by multiple generations of family singers and musicians, Tommy could play just about any instrument that he took into his hands; but he was best known for his intricate skills on the bass guitar—and for his rich baritone singing and speaking voice. Tommy was a 1973 Burch High School graduate and band member, who went on to major in music at Lee (then College) University in Cleveland, TN. He returned from college to join the evangelistic ministry of Will and Bonnie Compton while still in his teens; and the three traveled, sang, and held revivals together. When he married the love of his life, Deanna, the two became a powerhouse of a couple who would eventually begin serving as Delbarton Church of God’s first full-time ministers of music in 1987. In the 80’s and 90’s and early 2000’s, the church was blessed to have an enormous choir under Tommy’s direction—an ensemble which included choir, praise team, musicians and a brass section. The church platform had to be extended more than once to accommodate all the people—even to the point where a special mechanical raising cover was built for the baptistery, so that the space could be a mini-platform to accommodate additional musicians and instruments between baptisms. In the late 1990’s, Tommy and Deanna and several choir members did a special tour through select European nations and blessed service members and others with their music, through the Church of God Ministry to the Military. Tommy served on the WV Church of God Music Board for several years, and helped coordinate a number of Camp Meeting worship programs during his service in that role. Tommy helped direct various mass choirs in the area for special events like the Great White Way Christmas Celebration. As his role shifted in the church music ministry, Tommy continued to serve faithfully in the worship band every week, his distinctive bass guitar echoing like an anointed heartbeat in the blend; and he would direct a multi-generational choir in Christmas and Easter cantatas. Tommy had a heart for the underdog and wanted to ensure that no one felt left out. Music was not the only area of the arts in which Tommy lent his service to God and community. Tommy and Dee have produced a number of dramatic presentations over the years; most notably, several encore seasons of “Bow the Knee,” a musical drama about the Passion of the Christ which has been performed at Regional Church, at the Williamson Field House, and at the Chief Logan Amphitheatre [under different direction but with the Crums’ assistance and their son, Curtis (Cole), who continued to reprise the role of the Roman centurion]. Tommy was versatile in his ability to portray a character—from humorous to intimidating—and when a drama was shown again in a different season, people looked eagerly for his character to re-emerge like an old friend. Tommy also participated in many musical events hosted by the Town of Delbarton; and was instrumental in helping set up the sound system at the Delbarton Opry House and running it for them on occasion. He and his son Cole worked together on the Aracoma Story, where Cole served as director and Tommy was the music and audio director. For over fifty years, Tommy and Dee have served faithfully not just in the music and creative arts ministries, but in any role where their presence could make a difference. Tommy helped whenever possible at House of Hope; he taught music at Regional Christian School and then Ambassador Christian Academy, mentoring, encouraging, and instilling a love for music in many young musicians in and out of the school system. He served in the worship band and helped provide hospitality services at the church up until the very last few weeks of his life. He did much work behind the scenes that only God and a few others knew. He drove a bus for many years for Regional Church of God’s midweek children’s ministry, and he oversaw the maintenance of the church’s buses and vans. In his secular job as a bus driver with Mingo County Schools, some children even referred to him as “the singing bus driver.” He was the longest-tenured bus driver with the Mingo County Board of Education. Tommy had a particular way with the elderly, babies, and little children, who were drawn his jovial, kind demeanor, his sincere smile, and his contagious laughter. They knew he loved them, and they loved him right back. Tommy always put God first in his life, followed by loving and nurturing his family. When Dee battled a life-threatening illness, Tommy was a caring, devoted caregiver and companion. His absolute pride and joy was his son, Curtis “Cole.” It gave him great comfort and satisfaction to be able to spend as much time as possible, even after he became ill, with Cole and Dee. Tommy was a wonderful son who, as they often remarked, brought his parents joy all their lives. He was a good husband, father, brother, role model, and friend. He could both lead and follow with humility. He loved God and loved people. Tommy leaves behind his beloved wife of nearly 48 years, Deanna Sue Preece Crum, of Delbarton; his cherished son, Curtis Cole Crum, of Man, WV; his brother, Dana (Lisa) Crum, of Delbarton; brother-in-law, Homer Keith Preece and sister-in-law, Lana Preece Kersey, of Point Pleasant, WV; his aunts, Ellen Crum, Jewell Mahon, and Sue Enomoto as well as his uncle, Mont Crum, all of Delbarton. He has a host of cousins who felt more like siblings in their close-knit family, as well as nieces, nephews and extended family. Those who called him friend and brother in the Lord are without number. It is with great love and honor that the Regional Church family will include Tommy’s celebration of life in our Sunday Worship Service, the idea of which he would have so loved. The homegoing service will be held Sunday, October 27, at 11am at Regional Church of God in Delbarton, WV, officiated by Pastors Mitchell Bias, Will Compton, Eric Bias, and Rick Hisle. An evening of visitation will be held Saturday, October 26, from 6pm to 9pm, also at the church. Per Tommy’s request, cremation will follow the memorial service. His final resting place will be at the Sparks Family Cemetery in Yellow Creek (Clifford), KY. This family is proudly served by Chafin Funeral Home.

Joel Thomas Crum

June 18, 1955 - October 16, 2024

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Joel Thomas Crum

June 18, 1955 - October 16, 2024

365 Days of Grief Support

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