It was a one week ago this evening that the Lord took Dan to be with Him.

Dan's decline the last two months of his life was rapid but the last two weeks it was precipitous and quite a battle to get ahead of the pain. I'm glad to report it was finally under control the last three days of his life.

My three daughters and I were at his bedside as the time for him to leave drew near. We prayed over him, thanking God for our life and heritage with this man. As his breathing became labored, Beth put on a YouTube production of "How Great Is Our God", and we sang along with it. He left this world at around 2 minutes and 50 seconds into the video. I mention the time, because as you will notice, if you watch it, the scene on the video is of a sunset on the sea. I doubt that you need an explanation of the imagery.

Here is the video, in case you haven't already picked it up on one of our daughter's blog sites.



We used the video to close out his memorial service with our daughter Beth singing How Great Thou Art. The following Bible Verses are the ones in the video. (It's hard to read them through tear-filled eyes.) They are a good synopsis of why we can face death with strength and confidence for today and for all of our tomorrows.
Dan faced the end with the courage he requested and I am confident he is no longer experiencing an energy crisis.

Thanks for sharing our journey. May you also walk yours with Jesus.

Linda Crabtree


John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Philp 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Eph 2:4-5 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

1Co 15:54-55 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY. O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?"

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

Act 20:24 "But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.

Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

Deut. 30:19 "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,

Rom 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Mat 7:13 "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?"

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

Daniel Wayne Crabtree, MD Dec.30, 1946--Feb. 28, 2010

Last night, February 28, 2010, my beloved was called into the arms of Jesus as I and my daughters sang songs of praise to our Lord.

Our grief is great, but we do not grieve as those who have no hope.

We are confident beyond all doubt that we will be reunited one day

and again praise our Lord together.

Dan's and our prayer is that you too will choose to be devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

----Linda

Obituary Of Daniel Wayne Crabtree

Norfolk, Virginia. Daniel Wayne Crabtree, MD, 63, left this life February 28, 2010, after a two year bout with malignant melanoma, to enter Eternal Life in the presence of his Lord Jesus Christ. He is survived by his father, John B. Crabtree of Muskegon, MI; his loving wife of 41 years, Linda Newitt Crabtree; three daughters and their husbands, Kimberly/Alan Wilson, Elizabeth/Matthew Hunter, Christianne/David Page; and grandchildren Morgan, Madison, Matthew and Mark Wilson, Asher and Zephan Hunter, Evelyn and Adelaide Page. He is also survived by his siblings Dennis, Donald, James, Paul, and Debra Runyon. He is predeceased by his mother, Faith Crabtree.

Dr. Dan's medical career was long and varied. His training began as a chemistry major at Wheaton College, '69; medical school at Wayne State Univ. '73; and residency training in Family Medicine at San Bernardino County Hospital, '76. He practiced medicine in Muskegon, MI 1976-1986 where he started the group practice now known as Harborwood Family Medicine and served as Chief of Staff at Hackle Hospital 1984-1988. He then taught in academic medicine at both ORU/City of Faith, Tulsa, OK and ECU, Greenville, NC. Joining Sentara in 1990, he served in various administrative positions as well as a practicing physician. Dan concluded his career as founder and Medical Director of Personalized Family Medicine.

His goal as a physician was to treat the whole person with knowledge, grace and truth. He was known by his patients, as well as his colleagues, for his pursuit of excellence in medicine and in all areas of life. As an elder at Tabernacle Church of Norfolk, VA he sought to serve Jesus Christ by teaching the Bible, leading Care Groups and advising the leadership. During his convalescence, he wrote on his inspiring blog site, dancrabtree.blogspot.com, of his challenge to fulfill the Bible verse "Each day I am given, I shall not die, but live and tell of the works of the Lord" Psalm 118:17.

His family is very grateful for their heritage of love and faith.

Visitation with the family will be 5-9 PM, Wednesday, March 3, 2010, at Altmeyer Funeral Home, 5792 Greenwich Rd., Virginia Beach, Virginia. A memorial service will be held 7PM Thursday, March 4 at Tabernacle Church of Norfolk, 7000 Granby St., Norfolk, VA. A private burial will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Norfolk

Memorial gifts can be made in the name of Daniel W. Crabtree, MD to Christian Doctors Association, PO Box 7500, Bristol TN, 37621-7500. The gifts will be used to support the local student chapter of CMA.