Walter Fred "Pete" Crabb

Services will be live-streamed and may be viewed by clicking the links below:

Graveside Service - 10:00 AM

Walter Fred “Pete” Crabb, 89, of Carlsbad NM, went to be with his Lord and Saviour on Friday, December 27, 2024. 

Visitation will be 4:00PM – 6:00PM, Monday, January 6, 2025 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. A graveside service is scheduled for 10:00 AM, Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at Carlsbad Cemetery with Pastor Sam Plumlee officiating. Interment will follow at Carlsbad Cemetery. Carlsbad Veterans Honor Guard will perform military honors. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 

Walter Fred “Pete” Crabb was born January 11, 1935 to Tollie and Lucille (Ridgeway) Crabb, in rural Sequoyah County, near Sallisaw, OK. At a young age, Pete moved with his family to Otis, NM. He attended school in Otis through 8th grade. He then attended Carlsbad Public schools until enlisting in the United States Navy in 1952. While home on leave after boot camp, he met the love of his life Bobbie Lu, while she was working as a carhop at The Arrowhead. They married January 14, 1955, in Carlsbad, NM. Pete then returned to his assignment aboard the U.S.S. Marias. Upon his discharge in December 1955, they settled in Carlsbad where they welcomed their first three daughters. During this time, Pete took community college courses. In 1960, he moved his family to Las Cruces where he attended NMSU, receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1963. They moved several times and in 1964 welcomed their fourth daughter in Littlefield, Texas. In 1968, the family moved to Denver where they welcomed their fifth daughter. They remained in Denver until 1987. Bobbie joined Pete as his work took him across the country. This was a precious time for the two of them to enjoy life together. Upon retirement, they returned to Carlsbad. 

Pete was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Family was everything to him. He enjoyed taking his family on camping and fishing trips in the mountains. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed sharing the fruits of his labor with others. After returning to Carlsbad, he enjoyed playing golf with his brother Bill. He enjoyed fishing and hunting with his brother Charles. He and Bobbie also traveled with his brother Bob and wife Trude. Pete was known as quite a storyteller. Those who knew him enjoyed listening to him talk about his childhood growing up in Otis and his time in the Navy. Pete began a close and personal relationship with Jesus. He was baptized in the Pecos River by his son-in-law Phil. He attended Hillcrest Baptist Church. 

Pete was preceded in death by his parents, wife Bobbie; sisters: Irene Dorey, and Rosa “Sissy” Jump; brothers William “Bill” Crabb and Robert “Bob” Crabb; and grandson Ethan Rogers.

He is survived by his five daughters; Sandra Keene and husband Phil, Susan Sandoval, Freda Dale, Joyce Sifuentes and husband Mario, Paula Crabb-Ramirez and husband Lupe; brother Charles Crabb; sister Joanne Saunders; eleven grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Condolences can be expressed at dentonwood.com