Obituary of Phillip Crow

Robert Phillip Crow, 84, a savvy 50-year veteran of Fort Worth – Dallas Television, passed away on Monday, January 31, with complications of Alzheimers. Born June 28, 1937, Phil was the son of the Robert G. and Hassie Crow. He was a graduate of Polytechnic High School and continued his education at TCU where he was a 4-year letterman in baseball for the Frogs. Immediately after graduating from TCU with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Radio and TV Film, he began his broadcasting career as a camera man on the floor crew at KTVT Channel 11. Many of our readers may remember the local children’s show Slam Bang Theatre with host, the late Icky Twerp. It was here that young Phil Crow, fresh out of TCU, played numerous roles, i.e., Lavender Louie, Ajax, Constable Kavandish, to name a few characters, along with numerous local television guys and gals of that era. In 1963, Phil was running camera during President John F. Kennedy’s last breakfast speech, which was held in Fort Worth at a local hotel, before going to Dallas in preparation to cover Kennedy’s remaining scheduled events there. Needless to say, he was a part of history for which all of us wished never existed. As production manager of KTVT, Phil produced the lavish, live annual telecasts of the colorful Miss Texas Pageants for many years on Channel 11. When the TV station acquired the TV rights to the Texas Rangers Baseball telecasts, Phil also produced all of those televised games. After retiring as Operations Manager for KTVT-TV Channel 11, Phil enjoyed running cameras for 15 years for Texas Rangers Baseball and Dallas Mavericks Basketball teams. Phil is survived by his loving wife Norma, his step children DeeAnn Moore (Barry) and Eddie Windebank, along with step-grandchildren Braden,( Lauren), Bryce, Nelson (Diana), Beau and Dylan, as well as step-great children Jackson, Tennyson and Halle, who all adored their “Dil”. In addition, Phil is also survived by his beloved Aunt Alma Ruth, by numerous cousins Donna Carol Graham, Jackie (Dennis) Donna Karuth , twins Linda Lackey and Diane (Jeff) Wohletz, Robin Whitney, Todd Karuth, Kevin Gavlak, Chris Gavlak and Kathy Gavlak. . Phil was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Hassie Crow, uncle, Wesley J. Graham (“Dub”), cousins Paul Karuth, Gil Lackey and Richard Gavlak. An incredible animal-lover, he was also preceded in death by his beloved four-legged loves: Sir Winston as well as his beautiful Jadi (House of the Jade).