Deryl Abbe

Deryl Wayne Abbe, Sr.
June 12, 1944 - March 5, 2011

CRAWFORD - Deryl Wayne Abbe, Sr, 66, passed away at his home on March 5, 2011. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held on Tuesday, March, 8, at 11:00 a.m. at Crossroads Fellowship, 1861 Church Road, McGregor with Pastors Steve and Cyndi Abbe officiating. A reception and greeting of the family with follow at the church’s fellowship hall immediately following the service.

Deryl was born June 12, 1944 in Big Spring, Texas to Leo and Dorothy Susan (Wilson) Abbe. The Abbe family moved to Waco in 1952. Deryl was known as one of the six “D’s”, who were featured in the Mother’s Day edition of newspapers across Texas many times during the 1950’s. They were featured because of the uniqueness of being a family of six boys, each born eleven months apart and whose names all began with “D“. David, Dewey, Donnie, Deryl, Dennis, Danny.

Deryl was educated in the Waco public schools and attended University High School. He joined the Air Force in May 1963 and served 3 tours of duty in Vietnam. Deryl returned to Waco in 1976 and began working at RAM Aircraft. This is where he met the love of his life Kay. They were married on April 1, 1978. This marriage united Deryl’s three children, Deryl Jr. “Butch”, Shannon and Shawn with Kay’s two daughters, Wanda and Lori. In 1982, Deryl began employment at M&M Mars and worked there until he retired in 1995.

An avid NASCAR fan, Deryl regularly attended the races at Texas Motor Speedway. Each year he would talk another family member into going, which required getting a bigger motor home so “everyone” would have a place to sleep. He loved spending time with his family. He always attended his children’s sporting events and was very proud of all of their accomplishments. He was blessed with having been able to see many grand-children play sports, fish, ride 4 wheelers and just be kids. He was a wonderful and loving “Paw Paw”.

Preceding him in death were his parents, brother, Dennis Abbe, son, Michael “Shawn” Abbe, great-grand daughter, Isabella and many aunts and uncles.

Left to cherish his precious memory is his wife of almost 33 years, Kay, son Deryl Jr. “Butch” and wife Jeanette of Academy, daughters Wanda Anderson and husband Mike of McGregor, Shannon Crist of Richwood, TX, Lori Holmes and husband Jimmy Don of Crawford, daughter-in-law, Sheri Abbe of Lorena. Brother, David and wife Roxy of Bryan, Dewey of Waco, Don and wife Glenda of North Carolina and Dann and wife Kay of Robinson. 19 Grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, Aunt Lillian Harlan of Waco, and Aunt Billie and Uncle Raymond Parker of Clyde, TX.


The family would like to express their appreciation to all Providence Hospice Staff for the continuous care and support. A special thank you to Amy, Debbie and Brian and Medical Director Dr. Nick Schwedock. The family would also like to thank Dr. Gerard Marroquin for all of his wonderful care throughout the years.

Deryl’s last gift to this world was a body donation to the Genesis Society. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made in his honor to Providence Hospice, 4830 Lakewood Drive, Suite 2, Waco, TX 76710.