Rev. O. C. Crabtree

Reverend Orville Clay Crabtree was born in 1922 in a log cabin in Mt. Pisgah, Kentucky. His family moved to New Castle, Indiana, where Brother Crabtree was baptized in Jesus’ name and received the Holy Ghost in 1938. He preached his first sermon at the young age of seventeen. He wed the pastor’s daughter, Bobbie McElhaney, in 1942. During his senior year at Apostolic Bible Institute (ABI), Brother Crabtree was asked by S. G. Norris to pastor the church in Red Wing, Minnesota. Brother Norris felt that, as a pastor, Brother Crabtree needed to have ministerial license, and he was ordained before even holding a General license. W. T. Witherspoon signed his ordination credentials.

In 1947 Brother Crabtree was elected pastor of the First Pentecostal Church of Panama City, Florida. The church had been formed through the evangelistic efforts of D. L. Welch, and under the solid leadership of Brother and Sister Crabtree, the church saw tremendous growth. Brother Crabtree’s thirty-five years of pastoral leadership laid a foundation of sound, biblical teaching for the church.

Brother Crabtree served the Florida District in many capacities. He used to joke that he had held every office but Ladies Auxiliary president. As youth president, he was the principal of the first UPCI youth camp in Florida. Brother Crabtree also served as editor of the district magazine, sectional presbyter, and district secretary. In 1982 he was elected superintendent of the Florida District. While District Superintendent, O. C. Crabtree was elected pastor of the First Pentecostal Church of Wewahitchka, Florida, in 1994.

O. C. Crabtree served on the General Board from 1982 until his passing in 1997 and was often called upon by N. A. Urshan to give devotions and serve on special committees. He was a renowned Bible teacher, an expert in Bible prophecy, and a camp and conference preacher. He was loved for his ability to apply Scripture in a very practical manner, and his sermons are still remembered by many.

Brother Crabtree celebrated his heavenly birthday on his natural seventy-fifth birthday, October 3, 1997. His wife, Bobbie, survives him and she is an active member of the First Pentecostal Church in Panama City. At the age of ninety-five, she still drives herself to and from church.

He is also survived by two children, three grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. His son, Reverend Allen Crabtree, and his wife, Denise, pastor the First Pentecostal Church in Panama City, Florida. His daughter, Barbara Abernathy, and her husband, Bryan, serve in UPCI Global Missions.

His grandson, Shane Crabtree, and his family are members of Atlanta West Pentecostal Church in Atlanta, Georgia. His granddaughter, Shawna Hobson, and her husband, Bill, serve in UPCI North American Missions and are members of The Sanctuary in Hazelwood, Missouri. His granddaughter, Shannon Crabtree, and her family are members of the First Pentecostal Church in Panama City, Florida. Brother Crabtree did not live to see his eight great-grandchildren, but his legacy lives on in them; all but the youngest have been baptized in Jesus’ name, and all have received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

He passed from this life on January 1, 1997.