Phillip William Crosby

Phillip W. Crosby, August 28, 1921–September 24, 2017

Man of faith, integrity, love of family, strong work ethic, wise and caring friend and neighbor.

Phillip W. Crosby of San Diego passed away peacefully Sunday, September 24, 2017 surrounded by his loving family and loved and admired by his many friends and acquaintances. Phillip was born August 28, 1921 in Sheldon, Missouri, the fifth child of seven to Walter R. and Neva Crosby. His parents moved the family to San Diego when he was only 6 weeks old. He and his siblings grew up in a home on E Street in San Diego, where his father established Bay City Rug Works. During the Depression the rug business dwindled and Phillip’s father went to work for the WPA, while he and his siblings worked at odd jobs to help support the family. Phillip began mowing lawns. Always a hard worker, he worked at several different jobs and eventually drove trucks for Western Parcel Transfer and Storage while still a young man. He attended San Diego High School, dropped out of school for a while to work, then returned and graduated from Grossmont High School after his family moved to Bostonia in East County.

While at Grossmont High, he was recruited along with several others by a ranger from the California Division of Forestry to learn the basics of firefighting. He eventually became the firefighter team leader when extra hands were needed on the fire line. This led to what would be his life-long career with California Division of Forestry (Cal Fire).

Phil was drafted into military service in February 1943 and was assigned to the 1983rd Army Engineer Firefighting Platoon, serving in North Africa and then Corsica off the coast of Italy. He returned home from the war in December 1945.

After his return, he went back to work for CDF at La Mesa headquarters. Soon after returning from the war, he met and married Bertelle Gunstream in September 1946. Their daughter, Aleta, was born in August 1947. Bertelle remained weak after the birth and was soon diagnosed with acute leukemia. She passed away January 19, 1948, leaving her young husband an early widower with a five-month-old baby. It wasn’t long until he met Beulah Hoff, a lovely young single woman in his church. Their acquaintance blossomed into love and they were married at San Diego First Church of the Nazarene on July 31, 1948. Two sons, Darrell and Jerry, were added to the family as the years progressed. Phil and Beulah were married 69 years. After living in Oroville, California for over 50 years, they returned to San Diego in 2007 to be near their children.

Phil had a long and fulfilling career with the Forestry, serving in San Diego, Riverside, Tulare and Butte Counties. He served the last two decades of his career in Butte County as a Battalion Chief. He has remained an active and loyal member of CDF Retirees Association. He was a particular supporter of the restoration of the 1939 engine nicknamed “Big Jimmy”, presently housed at the Cal Fire museum at Ramona Airport. He was one of the early drivers of Big Jimmy, while stationed in La Mesa.

Phil was a strong man of faith and an active member of Mission Church of the Nazarene, serving with Beulah as a smiling greeter into his 90s. Deeply committed to God and his family, he and Beulah raised their children to love and serve the Lord and make a difference in the world. He served as a Sunday School teacher and in several church leadership roles over the years. He had a passion for world missions, and in his retirement years, he participated in 13 different Work & Witness trips to various areas of the world. He remained committed to living an authentic Christian life throughout his lifetime to the very end.

Phillip was preceded in death by both of his parents and five of his siblings. Those left to treasure his memory are: his wife, Beulah of San Diego, daughter Aleta Slater and husband Paul of San Diego, son Darrell Crosby and wife Erna of Roswell, New Mexico, and son Jerry Crosby and wife Cherri of San Diego; six grandchildren--Darrell Slater and Heather Slater of San Diego, Greg Crosby of Roswell, New Mexico, Stephanie Sullivan and husband Michael of Murrieta, Kelvin Crosby and wife Abigail of San Diego, and Corey Crosby of San Diego; three great-grandchildren—Audrey, Wylie, and Ryland Sullivan of Murrieta. He is also survived by his beloved youngest sister Carol Unfried and sister-in-law Leta Mae Rhodes, both of Bakersfield, California, as well as numerous nephews and nieces.

Memorial Service--Saturday, October 7th, 11:00 a.m., Mission Church of the Nazarene, 4750 Mission Gorge Place, San Diego, CA 92120. Reception immediately following.

Private Internment--Wednesday, October 11th at 11:00 a.m. at Miramar National Cemetery.

Donations in Phillip’s honor may be made to:
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries www.ncmi.org
Bonita Park Christian Camp and Conference Center www.bonitapark.com