Beloved alum (’59), baseball coach, Athletic Director and Abbey Athletic Hall of Fame member, Ted Crunkleton, Jr. passed away in comfort and peace on August 18, 2014. Having served in so many ways, Ted’s impact was felt at Belmont Abbey College for many years.
Ted Crunkleton, Jr.
He began as part of the Abbey family by coaching baseball, basketball and soccer at Sacred Heart High School and the Abbey. As the Abbey baseball coach he earned the honor of Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year in 1967 and also coached three All-American players during his tenure. He also went on to serve as the Belmont Abbey College Athletic Director and was recently honored in 2008 by the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
“Although I never had the pleasure of meeting Ted in person, I have been afforded the privilege and honor of getting to know him through interacting with many individuals whose lives he impacted deeply and significantly. He was most often described by those who knew him best as a husband, father, grandfather, teacher, mentor, coach, veteran, athlete and friend. He will be missed by all members of the Belmont Abbey College community and our indebtedness to him is immeasurable.” said current Belmont Abbey Athletic Director Stephen Miss.
Kermit Smith former Belmont Abbey Baseball Coach and colleague recently reflected on Ted’s time at the Abbey and beyond, “our relationship began with my interest in the history of the program that he led and continued because of our friendship. We would speak on the phone several times a year about family and baseball. He was and always will be the Father of Belmont Abbey Baseball. I was honored to call him a friend.”
Join the Abbey community in lifting up Ted and his family in your prayers. Ted and Margie, his wife, had four children and six grandchildren and made their home near the shores of Lake Norman, NC. Ted will be remembered by the monks of Belmont Abbey in their prayers and a Mass offered for the repose of his soul.
Please join his family as they remember their father at Celebration of Ted’s Life on Saturday, August 30, 2014, from 3 to 4 p.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home 3362 N. Hwy 16, Denver, NC 28037 (704.483.2124). In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in memory of Ted Crunkleton, Jr. be made to: The Levine & Dickson Hospice House, 11900 Vanstory Dr, Huntersville, NC 28078.