Gerald Lyman Crossman

Born and raised in Vermont, Ted was one of seven children born to Gerald H. and Grace Crossman. As a young man he grew strong working on the farm. He was known on the field as the man that could single-handedly lift a 55 gallon drum of fuel. He graduated from Providence Bible Institute where fell in love with and married Marieanne von Bergen, with whom he spent the next 66 years, until her passing in 2017. In 1954, Ted and Marieanne sailed for the Belgian Congo (later Zaire and now the D.R.C.) aboard the Queen Mary with their infant son, Peter. Over the next 27 years they were missionaries with Africa Inland Mission (AIM) in eastern Congo. They served as dorm parents at Rethy Academy (a boarding school for missionary children) and trained and mentored Congolese pastors and lay leaders. A second son, David, and later a daughter, Lois, were born in Congo. Ted's responsibilities included constructing various homes, academy buildings, a maternity ward, and an airstrip. In 1980, Ted and Marieanne helped to establish a new mission organization called Helps International Ministries until it outgrew their small home office. In 1984, they moved to Waxhaw, NC, to serve at JAARS, where Ted managed the housing department for 13 years, oversaw the Elder Care program, and volunteered in Trucking. A man of vision, Ted began developing twenty-five acres along Davis Road, transforming a wooded emptiness into the Karibuni - Baraka neighborhood. The many houses and apartments built there created a place of welcome and blessing for many JAARS personnel over the years. Ted was particularly grateful to God for the miracle of being able to sell the Baraka Place apartments to someone who would share his vision and in the process allow him to give a generous donation to the ongoing work of missions. Beyond all this, Ted followed world events anticipating the return of Christ and was active in his local church. He is predeceased by his wife, Marieanne; his oldest son, Peter; and oldest grandson, David Michael. He leaves behind a son, David (Crystal); a daughter, Lois (Matt); daughter-in-law, Marjan Blok; five grandchildren, Aimee (Nate) Crowley, Bryan Crossman, Christina (Christopher) Helms, Teddy and Alice Crossman-Blok; and one great-grandson, Jackson. Memorial gifts can be sent to Hospice of Union County 700 W. Roosevelt Blvd. Monroe, NC 28110,980-993-7300 or Community Church of Monroe 224 East Old Highway 74, Monroe, NC 28112 (704) 283-8986 "Ted Crossman Memorial". -

Visitation Details

Thursday, June 14th, 2018 2:00pm - 3:00pm, Community Church of Monroe

Service Information

Thursday, June 14th, 2018 3:00pm, Community Church of Monroe

Interment Details

Waxhaw City (Southside) Cemetery