Jack Edward Crozier's Obituary
Jack Edward Crozier, a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and patriarch, passed away peacefully with his three children by his side on April 12, 2024.
Jack was born on January 10, 1928 to Sadie and Percy Crozier as a third generation Dallasite. Jack attended Crozier Technical High School and graduated in 1944 at 16 years of age. Jack enlisted in the Navy in 1945 and served on the battleship USS West Virginia. After being discharged at the end of World War II, Jack attended Southern Methodist University where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration as well as a Juris Doctor degree. During his time as an SMU student he met Irma Hudak, an American Airlines Flight Attendant who lived in an apartment on the paper route he worked to help pay his way through law school. They quickly fell in love and were married at Holy Trinity Catholic Church on May 20, 1952.
Jack and Irma celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on May 20, 2022. Their story continues to be an inspiration to all who knew them. Their marriage was an exceptional example of commitment, devotion and unconditional love.
Jack was a quiet and gentle man. In 70 years of marriage, none of his three children ever remember him, or his wife, arguing or raising their voices. It was a fairytale marriage of husband and wife, and also two best friends.
He was always fair, treating everyone in his life with the same standard of compassion and understanding.
In 1954 he went to work for Murray Investment Company, a mortgage banking company. He remained with Murray for 35 years as it grew into Murray Financial Corporation. From 1972 until his retirement in 1989 he was President of Murray Financial Corporation, a diversified real estate and financial holding company engaged in all phases of real estate and financial services. The corporate family included 13 subsidiaries, affiliated companies and 1,700 employees.
In 1964 Irma and Jack purchased 115 acres near Gainesville, Texas and over time bought adjacent land, expanding the property to what became the 1003-acre Wolf Creek Ranch. Jack enjoyed being a gentleman rancher, raising prize Beefmaster Cattle. Jack and Irma cherished their time there, where over the decades their children and grandchildren gathered regularly and together created endless adventures and forever memories.
Despite his business obligations, he supported his children’s sports and hobbies. Family always came first. He spent endless weekends at swim meets, swim practices, soccer games and horse shows.
He was also the father figure and patriarch to so many, young and old, including extended family and friends … all who called him “Dad.” He was wise and many
relied on him for advice. He loved educating his kids, grandkids, relatives and family friends … and everyone loved learning from him.
Jack is preceded in death by his wife, Irma Crozier, his parents, Sadie and Percy Crozier, his brother, Harold Crozier, and his sister, Mary Frances Bartoli.
He is survived by his three children: Leslie Ann Crozier, Steven Crozier (Angie) and Ann Crozier Kirkby (Ken); seven grandchildren: Ashley Malone, Kaleigh Crozier, Collin Crozier, Cade Crozier, Kara Dow, Lauren Kirkby and Colton Kirkby; and three great-grandchildren: Kenleigh Crozier, Jack Matthews and Noah Dow. The family would like to thank Dad’s loving caretakers, Hanna Yerga and Mary Tifesse, as well as Linda Flynn, Irene Miranda, Mitchell Armstrong and Mirek Sllusarz who were such an important part of his life.
Services will be at Restland Funeral Home in the Memorial Chapel on Thursday, April 18 at 10:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Crozier’s family foundation, Triumph Over Alzheimer’s at www.TriumphOverAlzheimers.org.
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