George Michael Crosby

January 6, 1944 – March 25, 2025

81 years old

Passed away from a sudden illness at Sentara CarePlex Hospital, Hampton, VA.

Graduated from Great Falls High School, Great Falls, SC 1963.

Teaching degree from Newberry College, Newberry, SC 1967.

Master’s Degree from Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY.

Teacher and Coach at Lake View High School (Lakeview, SC), Our Lady of Pompei (Syracuse, NY), Syracuse Public Schools, and Hopewell City Public Schools, Hopewell, Virginia.

Married to Karen Baker from January 1, 1970 to June 1, 2015 when Karen sadly passed away after battling cancer.

Married to Elaine Houska on August 1, 2018.

George, known to most as Mike, was a star athlete participating in all high school sports and later in life in Master’s Track and Field. His football number, 37, would remain his favorite number and would be the code for anything that required numbers to enter.

Teaching and coaching were Mike’s career passions. He was well respected, chaired many committees and received numerous awards and recognition for his commitment to students and their education. Mike taught elementary and middle school physical education during the time when it was ok to be strict and caring with children. He bought sneakers for kids who did not have any and shared many of his lunches with the little ones who were hungry. There were so many stories – my favorite two being about the little boy who wished Mike was his Dad and the little girl who would always hold Mike’s hand as they went down the school hallway so he would not get lost.

Mike was a proud member of the Kappa Alpha Order (KA) and remained in touch with some of his fraternity brothers. He was also a member of the Single Action Shooting Society and enjoyed dressing like a cowboy and participating in matches to demonstrate shooting skill and speed. He is known to this group as Cold Blue Mike.

His hobbies were numerous and included Civil War relic hunting and collecting, photography, fishing, playing the ukulele and singing. Mike enjoyed watching college sports and would ultimately take over coaching and refereeing the game before it was over. He was strongly devoted to his faith, his marriage, his family, his friends, and his pets. Generosity flowed from him with ease. Mike is loved by so many and will be deeply missed. Share your stories of Mike and know that there was never any doubt that he loved you very much. His day was made when he could make somebody smile. It is in these memories that he will live on.

Survivors include:

Wife Elaine and dog Mazie

Brother Syral Chalmers Crosby

Nephew Michael Crosby and wife Beverly

Preceeding him in death are a sister, Nancy, his parents, Archie and Ivory, his wife Karen and sister-in-law Sylvia

Services and arrangements by:

Cooke Funeral Home

202 N Main St, Lake View, SC 29563

(843)759-2111

Visitations:

April 19 from 1-4 p.m. with prayer service at 3:30 p.m.

Residence: 102 Pendleton St, Newport News, VA 23606

April 26 from 10-10:45 a.m.

Fork Baptist Church: 1923 Old River Rd, Fork, SC 29543

Service:

April 26 – 11:00 a.m.

Fork Baptist Church: 1923 Old River Rd, Fork, SC 29543

Burial following service in Fork Baptist Church Cemetery

Fellowship following burial:

Schuler’s BBQ: 419 SC-38, Sellers, SC 29592

In lieu of flowers or plants please direct memorials to:

Fork Baptist Church Cemetery Fund

c/o Mitch Scott

3326 Buck Swamp Road

Fork, SC 29543