William Frank "Buddy" Crosby of Jackson, MS, died on Tuesday morning, September 25, with his three children by his side. He is survived by his sister Marsha Poovey of Gastonia, NC, daughter Missy (Will) Hopkins of Oxford, son Will (Milicent) Crosby of Jackson, daughter Marty (Brad) Thomas of Flowood, and his five grandchildren Caroline and Sam Thomas, Winn and Claire Crosby, and Alan Hopkins. He is preceded in death by his father Billy Crosby and his mother Ouida Pickering Crosby.
Buddy was born on May 28, 1940, in Laurel, MS. He was a graduate of Laurel High School where he was a star athlete. From there he went to the University of Mississippi where he played football and ran track from 1958 through 1963. While at Ole Miss, Buddy earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Education.
After graduation, Buddy started his coaching career as a graduate assistant for one year at Ole Miss under Head Coach Johnny Vaught. The next four years were filled with coaching and teaching stints at Murrah High School and McComb High School. In 1968, he had the opportunity to become the head football coach at Callaway High School. In 1974, he accepted a position at Jackson Prep. The following year he was named head football coach and athletic director. Buddy would spend the next thirty-one years at Jackson Prep before retiring in 2005.
Buddy's twelve-year tenure as head football coach at Jackson Prep yielded a 109-18 record, six state championships, and two undefeated seasons. However, his legacy and influence goes way beyond his accomplishments on Friday nights.
The last nine years of Buddy's life were filled with complications, trials and tribulations. "Coach", as he was affectionately known to his grandchildren, personified what he preached to and expected of his players: determination, perseverance, and grit.
All services for Buddy will be at Wright and Ferguson in Flowood. There will be a visitation on Sunday, September 30, from 2:00 to 5:00. On Monday, October 1, there will be a 10:00 a.m. visitation followed by the funeral at 11:00.
Honorary pall bearers for the funeral service will be the 1960 Ole Miss football team, members of the Sunset Hunting Club, Wayne Traylor, Bill Lea, and Billy Earnhart.
The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to all those who helped take care of him during his difficult years. Thank you to the entire staff of Wisteria Gardens Assisted Living, Dr. Erin Cummins, and his oncologist Dr. Justin Baker.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the Jackson Prep Booster Club or a charity of their choice.