Patrick Metcalf Crump, 44, died May 15, 2014 at his home surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was a friend to many and was known for his commitment and devotion to his family, for his passion for life, his readiness to help a friend or stranger, his integrity and strength of character, and his strong Christian faith.

Patrick attended Presbyterian Day School, Memphis University School, The Webb School, and University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He earned a Bachelor of Science, Business Administration in Finance, Magna Cum Laude, from Christian Brothers University. As a successful Real Estate Agent for over 20 years and owner of Crump Group of Memphis, he was a Life Member of the MAAR Multi-Million Dollar sales club and served on various boards and committees of the MAAR.

Patrick's community service includes his many years of support and leadership in The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis where he was a Board Member and Past Chair of the Goodwill Club. Patrick's commitment to the Boys and Girl's Club began with his membership in the Phoenix Club of Memphis where he was a past Board Member. Patrick was also a member of several organizations within Carnival Memphis, which raises money for various children's charities. Patrick's other volunteer efforts include Hands on Memphis, MPACT Memphis, Habitat for Humanity, Memphis In May, AutoZone Liberty Bowl, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Patrick was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, sailing, and scuba diving. Many an afternoon was spent fishing with his children on the family lake in Hardeman County. A talented musician and guitar player, Patrick was a founding member of the band Walrus who played their 10 year anniversary gig this past August. Patrick was an accomplished skier, where he spent his childhood years skiing in his mother's home country of France. A member of the Memphis Country Club, Patrick also loved to spend time continually improving his golf game. Patrick was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church where he was an Usher. Also known for his love of cooking and "world-famous" hot wings, Patrick's college football parties will be sorely missed.

Patrick touched so many people in his all too short lifetime. He will leave a void in our hearts but his legacy of love and laughter will live on.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Charles and Diana Crump of Memphis and Claude Robin of Paris, France.

He is survived by his loving wife Holly Liles Crump, daughter Taylor Temple, 10, son Charles Metcalf III, 7, mother Michele Robin Crump, father Charles Metcalf Crump, Jr., all of Memphis, brother Stephan Crump (Jen,) nephews Maceo and Van of New York, and grandmother Yveline Humbert of Paris. Other survivors include Laurence Ritter and Patrick's stepmother Madeleine Crump and stepsister Olivia DeLozier.


Realtor, guitarist, and family man Patrick Crump dies at 44
Some Realtors give their new homeowners a fruit basket. Patrick Crump gave them friends.

The 44-year-old Realtor by day and rock guitarist by night had an uncanny knack for bringing people together, one that came to the rescue of many a new Memphian.
"People would be moving here from a thousand miles away, and he'd just set them up with so many friends. He just had that ability," said his wife, Holly Crump.

Mr. Crump died early Thursday morning of a rare form of cancer. Hours later, a double rainbow shone over downtown Memphis -- a sign of peace to many of his friends and family, Holly said.

Mr. Crump, son of noted Memphis architect Metcalf Crump, was the subject of much prayer during a grueling but lifesaving surgery in 2013. The outcome of that surgery was a miracle, according to Holly, and it allowed Mr. Crump to spend a happier and healthier summer with his family before the disease resurfaced in early 2014.

"Most people in their lives never see one miracle," she said. "We were asking for two."
Mr. Crump was also well-known as a guitarist for Walrus, a popular local band, as well as for the humor and congeniality that endeared him to so many.

In the month preceding his death, Mr. Crump still managed to go turkey hunting and to attend his son's baseball game.

"I don't believe he was ever bedridden, I think he was up and down even on his last night," said Rev. John Sewell of St. John's Episcopal Church.

Sewell, a longtime friend of Mr. Crump and his family, said they spoke often about matters of faith, life and death.

"I think he was less afraid to die than he was so, so reluctant to leave his family," Sewell said. "I think he was even excited to some degree -- It's a word he used once -- about seeing what was on the other side."

Mr. Crump's family and friends will hold a prayer vigil with his remains at St. John's beginning at 7 p.m. Sunday evening until 7 a.m. Monday morning, taking shifts praying and reading from the Book of Psalms. A Memorial Eucharist will follow at 9 a.m. with a reception after that. Private burial is in Elmwood Cemetery.

Sewell said Mr. Crump died as peacefully as any man can, comforted by his "deep faith" and the devoted love of his family. He is survived by his wife and two young children, Taylor and Charles.

"He died in his bed, surrounded by his family, his wife, his children and his dogs," Sewell said. "I think they were all in bed with him when he died. What more can a man want than that?" ___

(c)2014 The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, Tenn.)