Jerry J. Crenshaw, 80, of Russell, Kansas died Sunday June 26, 2016 at the Salina Regional Hospital in Salina, Kansas.  Jerry was born June 13, 1936, in Arkansas City, Kansas, the son of Willis Alexander and Tilly Elizabeth (Leatherman) Crenshaw.  He grew up in Alva, Oklahoma and graduated from Alva High School in 1954.  He received his Bachelors' Degree in Education from Northwestern State University at Alva and attended the University of Oklahoma where he received his Masters Degree in speech and did graduate work toward his PhD.  He was united in marriage to Terry Sue Brand on August 07, 1959, in Woodward, Oklahoma. To this union one child was born, their daughter, Sally. Jerry taught at Helena, Oklahoma, Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina and at Fairfield Unified School District in Langdon, Kansas. In 1967 the family moved to Russell, Kansas where Jerry taught speech, debate, English and directed plays and musicals at Russell High School until his retirement in 1996.   He was most proud of his debate teams' accomplishments and their numerous winning seasons.  He also took great pride in the musicals Oklahoma, Cinderella and the Sound of Music he directed.  He pursued many hobbies, but was best known locally for his cheesecakes.   He was a devoted Royals fan and enjoyed watching and attending Royals games with his family.  

Surviving family include his wife Terry of the home, daughter Sally O'Dell and husband Mike of Topeka, Kansas, brothers Neil Crenshaw and wife Nancy of McIntosh, Florida and Jeff Crenshaw of Gatlinburg, Tennessee; sister Panhachet Joachims and husband Greg of Enid, Oklahoma and grandchildren Jeremiah O'Dell and Kelsey Reed and husband Corbin all of Topeka, Kansas and his dog Winthorpe. 

He was preceded in death by his parents. 

A memorial service to celebrate Jerry's life will be held at 3 PM on Friday, July 15, 2016, at the Deines Cultural Center in Russell, Kansas with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating.  Cremation has preceded the service.  Memorials may be given to the High Plains Humane Society of Hays, Kansas or Rebecca A. Morrison House of Salina, Kansas, and sent in care of the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.