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Post by TNBullRidinGirl on Nov 30, 2005 21:41:02 GMT -5
That's so sad. We'll miss you Greg!
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Post by wycowboy on Dec 1, 2005 0:23:38 GMT -5
I'm really going to miss Greg. Him and his family are in my prayers. God Bless Greg
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Mike_LeeFan
Challenger Tour
When I ride, I have to be ready to die that day. That's the way I have to ride, to just be free.-ML
Posts: 234
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Post by Mike_LeeFan on Dec 1, 2005 0:41:44 GMT -5
when i got the e-mail i couldn't believe it that's so sad what happend and he will be greatly missed and was a fantastic bull fighter and saved alot of bull riders from being trampled or killed. i mean i still can't believe that he was killed it's a shocker. he will be sadly missed!
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rossjustinfan
Challenger Tour
Charleston and Tampa 8 Second Fantasy Winner
Posts: 147
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Post by rossjustinfan on Dec 1, 2005 7:56:47 GMT -5
I was in shock when I heard this sad news. My heart goes out to Greg's family and all of those who knew and loved him. He was a great bullfighter and will be sadly missed.
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NoGeeksPls
Challenger Tour
Oklahoma City 8 Second Fantasy Winner
BLUEBERRY YOU WILL BE MISSED! I took this picture that PBR uses on Blueberrys Data Page!
Posts: 160
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Post by NoGeeksPls on Dec 1, 2005 10:42:41 GMT -5
When I saw the E mail from PBR yesterday I was also shocked. I honestly could not believe it.
Life is so fragile.
It will not be the same without him.
His poor family.
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Post by twinpinesmt on Dec 1, 2005 15:27:48 GMT -5
Greg Crabtree fell off a bulldozer seat, landed in front of the dozer and became trapped under the blade in a fatal accident Tuesday.
Crabtree’s wife, Tommie Lynn, and a friend were burning brush a few feet away from where Crabtree was operating the dozer.
The above information was reported by the The Victoria Advocate newspaper today, and an alert reader posted the article under yesterday’s blog report about Crabtree’s death.
Here’s the full article:
The Victoria Advocate Bullfighter dies in bulldozer accident MARSHA MOULDER Victoria Advocate Thursday, December 1, 2005
FLATONIA - Bullfighter Gregory Wade Crabtree, 31, of Flatonia, was remembered Wednesday by Professional Bull Riders and its members for his unbridled energy, enthusiasm and talent.
Crabtree died Tuesday following a bulldozer accident while clearing brush on land near Flatonia.
The PBR on Wednesday paid tribute to Crabtree on its Web site. The association’s post said, in part, “Greg is celebrated by family, friends and fans for his unique personality, not to mention his fearless attitude and unparalleled ability to save bull riders as a member of the Dickies DuraBullfighting team. Week in and week out, Crabtree unselfishly sacrificed his well-being to save the lives of top PBR cowboys.
“Greg Crabtree was greatly respected and trusted by the PBR’s top 45 bull riders who voted him to defend their lives against their 2,000-pound bovine opponents for the past four years at the PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals held in Las Vegas, Nev.,” the PBR site said.
It quoted PBR president Ty Murray as saying, “He was a great lifesaver, one of the toughest guys ever. He would step in there every time without question almost as if he had no fear. He is the only guy I thought truly had no fear at all. He definitely will be missed.”
The site also quoted Philip Williamson, president and CEO of Williamson-Dickies, as saying, “He (was) greatly admired for the tremendous heart and courage he brought into the arena as a Dickies DuraBullfighter. We at Dickies will miss Greg’s irreplaceable spirit and zest for life. We send our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, children and many friends at the PBR.”
Crabtree was pronounced dead Tuesday by Justice of the Peace Tommy Tipton after Crabtree fell off a bulldozer seat, landing in front of the dozer and becoming trapped under the blade, according to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department.
Crabtree’s wife, Tommie, and a friend were burning brush a few feet away from where Crabtree was operating the dozer.
The accident was investigated by Fayette County Deputy Angela Jasek, who was assisted by Fayette County Emergency Medical Service and the Flatonia Fire Department.
PBR bull rider Brian Herman of Victoria said Wednesday he had received phone calls all night long Tuesday from members of the PBR after they learned of Crabtree’s death.
“I’ve known him a long time, since probably 1994,” Herman said.
He first met Crabtree when the bullfighter was working at amateur rodeos and bull ridings in the area.
He said he believes it was Lane Foltyn, a PBR judge from El Campo, who got Crabtree jobs fighting bulls at some of PBR’s lower level events. It didn’t take long before Crabtree was chosen to fight in the Built Ford Tough Series events, the pinnacle of the PBR tier system.
“They took one look at him, and everybody liked him,” Herman said.
Once Herman and Crabtree got to know each other, they would sometimes travel together and room together while on the road.
“He was a riot. Everybody liked him. He was like a comedian. You didn’t know what he was going to do or say next,” Herman said.
Rob Smets, the dean of PBR bullfighters and the only five-time world champion bullfighter, could not be reached by phone Wednesday, but he had posted a tribute to Crabtree on his Web site.
In his post, Smets said, “Yesterday afternoon we lost a great friend, father, husband and bullfighter… We were just talking about the new house they were fixing to put on the property while we were at Mohegan Sun. He was as excited as a kid in a candy store … I have fought bulls going on 30 years and have worked with some great bullfighters - but not one of them loved the game more than Greg.”
Even as a high school student, the passion Crabtree brought into competition was recognized, when in 1992, he received the “Heart” award at a Flatonia High School sports banquet.
Funeral services for Crabtree will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Flatonia with the Rev. Joe Hybner officiating. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Flatonia.
A rosary will be at 7 p.m. Friday at the church.
Visitation will be today in the chapel of Smith Funeral Home of Flatonia.
Crabtree is survived by his wife, Tommie Lynn Crabtree of Flatonia; two daughters, Katelyn and Victoria Crabtree, both of Flatonia; a son, Mason Crabtree of Flatonia; parents, David and Mary Crabtree of Corpus Christi; three sisters, Angela Purcell of La Feria, and Amanda and Sebrena Crabtree, both of Corpus Christi; and a brother, William Crabtree of Kerens.
Memorials may be made to the Greg Crabtree Memorial Fund, Donation Account, 6 South Tejon No. 700, Colorado Spring, Colo., 80903.
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Post by BucknSpin on Dec 1, 2005 15:53:40 GMT -5
Thanks for posting the article, Tina............
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Post by brvynky on Dec 1, 2005 17:33:31 GMT -5
This is a photo at Mohegan Sun 11/18/05 Greg, Francine (my wife) and Rob
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Post by brvynky on Dec 1, 2005 18:14:46 GMT -5
I had to edit this one big time to make it view-able:
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Post by twinpinesmt on Dec 1, 2005 18:24:32 GMT -5
You are more than welcome for the article.
Thanx for the pics Dave.
Tina
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Post by HThrash on Dec 1, 2005 18:37:36 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing the pictures...I know they will be treasured!!
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Post by dairymary on Dec 1, 2005 19:14:39 GMT -5
thanks for the article tina and thanks dave for the pics
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Post by Homeslice on Dec 2, 2005 14:49:30 GMT -5
I couldn't believe it either when I first read the title of the thread! This is really sad....the Crabtrees and their friends do need to be in our prayers. Greg was a great bullfighter who I could tell loved his job! He will be truly missed....
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Post by twinpinesmt on Dec 2, 2005 21:17:12 GMT -5
If you would like to share your condolences the PBR has set up this board. There are a few from the PBR riders as well. pbrnow.com/greg/
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Post by cowgirl4life30 on Dec 2, 2005 22:55:14 GMT -5
Okay, I can't even read that... it makes me cry!! I did have the opportunity to meet Greg and he was quite an amazing and funny guy. The outpour of posts on that forum just proves how amazing he was. His presense in and out of the arena will be missed by many!! I know i will miss seeing him!
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