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Beloved teacher will be greatly missed

He is remembered for his optimism, advocacy for kids and commitment to education.

By RITA FARLOW
Published May 17, 2006

Less than a week before graduation, longtime teacher Dennis Crenshaw was killed when the car he was working on slipped off the jack and crushed him last week in Clearwater.

He would have turned 56 today.

"I cried when I found out. I was devastated. I couldn't believe it,'' said sophomore Heather Surette, 17, who took three of Mr. Crenshaw's classes over the past two years.

Mr. Crenshaw, who lived in St. Pete Beach, died in Clearwater last Wednesday. His daughter Laura Perry witnessed the accident and immediately called 911 from her cell phone, but Mr. Crenshaw was pronounced dead at the scene, said his wife, Diane Crenshaw.

Clearwater police spokesman Wayne Shelor said the investigation is still open, but that all evidence points to an accident.

Diane Crenshaw said she and family members were coping with the sudden loss of a great man due to unfortunate circumstances.

"He had (the car) in park and it was on level ground. He's done this all his life. He's so conscientious. He takes his time; he knows what he's doing,'' she said.

Family and friends noted that Mr. Crenshaw - who taught marine science in the GOALS program - died doing what he was known for: helping others. Several students, friends and faculty said Mr. Crenshaw was notorious for putting others before himself.

"I could talk to him about anything. He was always there for everybody. He was just a great teacher,'' said senior William Fields, 18.

Principal John Leanes said Mr. Crenshaw was eternally optimistic and willing to make sacrifices for his students and his school.

"I will remember the man for his commitment to education and to children. He was rock solid in his commitment to his kids,'' Leanes said.

Leanes said a team of crisis intervention counselors were dispatched to the school last week and spoke to numerous students and faculty members who were upset over Mr. Crenshaw's death.

"All these kids love him. They've been coming by to see me the last couple of days because they miss him,'' said Ron Friley, who teaches communications technology in the classroom next door to Mr. Crenshaw's.

Many students and Bogie staff knew him as "Crenny,'' a moniker borne of respect, admiration and closeness, said fellow teacher Lynda Keyser. "It was a nickname the kids gave him maybe 13 or 14 years ago, and it just stuck."

Keyser said Mr. Crenshaw made each and every child feel special. "He always had something good to say about each of them. That was just his motto: 'There's always something good to say about everybody, but especially the kids.' You couldn't find anybody better," she said.

Mr. Crenshaw spent 34 years with Pinellas County Schools, teaching at Mount Vernon Elementary School in St. Petersburg for 16 years and at Boca Ciega for 18 years, said Diane Crenshaw. He also worked part time for the city of St. Petersburg Recreation Department special events division for 20 years.

Mr. Crenshaw was a diehard Florida State football fan and enjoyed trips to Tallahassee to see his favorite team play, as well as trips to the Smoky Mountains to see the leaves turn in the fall, his wife said.

An avid boater and fisherman, Mr. Crenshaw often took students on camping trips to the Everglades - a once in a lifetime chance for some - to experience natural Florida.

"He was an advocate for every kid he ever met, and any colleague, no matter what. He was a role model. He was, above all, a friend and an inspiration. He could find a positive in the midst of any kind of negativity,'' said fellow teacher Marcia Davis.

"He was an angel on Earth,'' Davis said.

[Last modified May 17, 2006, 06:52:32]