Dr. Thomas Willingham Crump

Dr. Thomas W. Crump Christian, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Educator, Coach, Principal, a myriad of labels could be used to describe Tom Crump, but his favorite to those who loved him was "Honey Bunny". His life exemplified his commitment to his Faith, Family, and Friends. As the oldest son of the late Viola and Paul Crump, Dr. Thomas W. Crump died on July 17, 2025, peacefully in the presence of his family. He is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Caroline Kohn Crump, daughter, Laura Anne Kirkland (Hank), granddaughters, Jessica Smith (Jordan), Bailey Kirkland, great grands, Larkin and Graham Smith, sister-in-law, Pat Kohn, nephews, Sam Cullum (Heather) Britt and Will, Hart Barber (Alison) Henry and Finn. He was predeceased by his sister, Mary Bailey and brother, David Crump. Tom Crump was born in Rock Hill, South Carolina on March 16, 1940. He attended the Rock Hill public schools and graduated from Newberry College, receiving his Master's and Educational Specialist Degrees from The Citadel and his Doctor of Education Degree from Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Crump's teaching and basketball coaching career began at Brookland Cayce High School, then he taught and coached at Pelion High School and Gilbert High School, ending that part of his career at Mid-Carolina High School where he served as principal and chaired numerous SACS committees Selected as the Assistant Coach in the North-South All Star Game in 1975, he was the Head Coach of the winning South Squad in the 1990 game. He was inducted into the Newberry College Men's Basketball Alumni Association Hall of Fame, the Mid-Carolina High School Basketball Hall of Fame, and the York County Sports Hall of Fame. Tom was a long-time member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church where he served on numerous committees, was Council Chairman and President of the Men of St. Paul's, and could regularly be found weeding, mowing, and planting on the grounds of St. Paul's. His church family was very important to him. Tom continually shared his belief that "It's all about the choices you make: choose wisely." A private funeral will be held at a later date. Memorials may be given in his memory to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1715 Bull St., Columbia, SC 29201.

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Dr. Thomas Willingham Crump

March 16, 1940 - July 17, 2025