Richard V. Crenshaw

Mr. Richard V. Crenshaw, (also known as “ Pappy “, “ Koothe “, “ Fat Cat “ and “ Ross “, 67, of Central, SC, passed away on Monday, January 16, 2017.

Richard was born on March 27, 1949 in Anderson, SC and he grew up in Pendleton, SC. He graduated from Pendleton High School after a stellar athletic run for the school. He was one heck of an amazing pitcher for the baseball team, a fantastic forward on the basketball team and he was an All-State End on the Pendleton football team which captured the State Championship in 1966. He was then awarded a full athletic scholarship to Clemson University, where he played football under Coach Frank Howard for two years until his transfer to Charleston Southern University where he earned his degree in Secondary Education and a minor in English. He would then return to Pendleton, where he worked for LaFrance Textiles for many years until he moved his career to Clemson University where he retired in 2006.

Richard loved golf and was an avid player until his second hip replacement in 1998 left him in chronic pain and unable to enjoy physical activities. He was a kind and gentle man who was always quick witted; his stories, jokes and antics are still fondly remembered and retold often; as it is said, “ Koothe was the Life of the Party”. He gave freely and generously for many years to the Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital, as he held a very deep and special love for the Children of Saint Jude’s. Richard will be sorely missed by all who knew him, because to know him was to love him.

Richard is survived by his wife of 34 years, Linda Crenshaw; daughter, Debbie Austin, (Carl); his beloved granddaughter, Hannah Austin; his great grandson, Brandon Grindstaff; his sister, Rachel Thompson, (Claude) and his nieces, Chrissy and Claire Thompson; all of whom he loved dearly.

Richard was preceded in death by his mother, Francis Miles Crenshaw; his father, Albert Vernon Crenshaw and his son, Ashley Wells.