Calvin D. Crabill

Calvin Crabill, much-loved family patriarch, companion, Davis High math teacher, and musician died on March 8, 2023, at the age of 98. His daughter Carol was with him.

Cal, as he was known to most, was an accomplished musician, playing jazz trumpet in bands from his teenage years into the 2020’s. He was a longtime member of the Davis-based It’s About Time Band, and performed with famed recording engineer Wally Heider as an undergraduate at UC Berkeley, from which he received a bachelor’s degree in Music.

Cal was a veteran of World War II, serving as a naval navigator. Born in Holly, Colo., he spent his teenage years in Burbank and worked for The Walt Disney Company before and after the war. It was during this period that Cal fell in love with his wife of 64 years, Judy, who preceded him in death in 2007.

Cal had many notable exploits. He co-authored three secondary mathematics textbooks, lectured for the UC Davis School of Education, was featured in Ken Burns’ “Dust Bowl” series (for which he was included in the promotional media tour), and was a longtime volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. With Judy, Cal built Habitat houses all over the country alongside presidents Carter and Clinton, as well as many popular political and entertainment figures. A highly respected math teacher, he was inducted into the Davis High School Hall of Fame in 2015.

Cal leaves behind his longtime companion, Jan Bazinet, and three adoring sisters — Sandy Bucknell (Lee), MaryAnn Herman (Lee) and Jeanne Gayaldo, as well as many dear nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

He is survived by his loving children Carol Crabill, Susan Crabill O’Reilly (Dan), and Dave Crabill (Gerry Benoit). He was the cherished “G’pa” and “GG’pa” to Cecilie Hitchcock Stuelpe (Casey), Annabelle Stuelpe and Calvin Stuelpe, Cal’s namesake. Cal was also Grandpa Cal to Jennifer O’Reilly Savage (Chad), Sky Ternahan, Daniel O’Reilly (Liz), Zero Ternahan, Rebekah Savage, Tesla Ternahan and Clara O’Reilly.

Gifts in his honor may be made to STEAC, Paul’s Place or Yolo Food Bank.