Denver "Buzz" William Crabbs

Denver William "Buzz" Crabbs, age 91, of Bel Air, Maryland laid down his working tools on April 5, 2023 at Maryland Masonic Homes in Cockeysville, Maryland. Born in Taneytown, Maryland, he was the son of James Crabbs and Margaret (Weddle) Naugle. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving from July 12, 1948 to April 22, 1952, during the Korean War. As part of his assignment aboard the U.S.S. Kearsarge, he was stationed on the island of Guam and was a ships welder. At the end of his service in the Navy, he worked at Rheem’s on North Point Blvd, where he used his welding skills crafting water heaters. He began his career with the Baltimore County Police Department on April 18, 1955. During his career as a law enforcement officer, he had a variety of assignments throughout the county. Early in his career he was assigned to the Traffic Division, where he enjoyed riding Police motorcycles. He was promoted to Corporal on 3-12-66 and worked in the patrol division. Due to his keen investigative abilities, he was transferred to Detectives on 4-1-67, where he continued to excel. He was promoted to Detective Sergeant on 10-19-68. His next assignment was at the Essex “district” as a Patrol Sergeant, and eventually he was selected for an assignment in the “Tactical Division,” which is today’s SWAT Team. After a successful 20 + year career, he officially retired on 5-3-75. In the early sixties, he was a Cub Master for the Cub Scout Pack #355 and active with Boy Scout Troop #355, sponsored through the Mt. Carmel Knights of Columbus in Essex, MD. He was also an active Little League Baseball Coach, coaching the “Cubs” team for several years.

In1980 he was one of the charter members of the Baltimore County Retired Fire and Police Association. He was a “life” member of the Baltimore County Fraternal Order of Police (FOP #4) as well as the Association of Baltimore County Retired Police, Inc. Buzz was a lifetime member of VFW Post # 8806 in Union Bridge, MD, and a PUFL member of the Woodsboro American Legion, Post 282. Buzz was a devout member of the Masons. He began his Masonic journey in Florida on 11-24-87 at Deerfield Beach Lodge # 325. He was actively involved in many charities but was especially proud of raising funds towards providing dental services for needy children. He was also a member of North Broward Lodge #404. In 1999, he moved to Brooksville Florida, where he joined Hernando Lodge # 97, (now named the Bushnell-Hernando Lodge # 30) where he continued his journey. Buzz was the Worshipful Master of Lodge 325 (1991) and Lodge 97 (2002). He held the Florida Grand Lodge Office of Grand Pursuivant (2001) and between 1989 to 2015, he served on 21 different committees, including appointment as District Deputy Grand Master (1993). In September 2020, he returned to Bel Air, Maryland to be close to his family and joined Mt. Ararat Lodge #44 in Bel Air, MD.

Denver is survived by his son, William Michael (Dottie) Crabbs; sister, Darlene Wagner; grandchild, Ryan M. (Alexandra) Crabbs; sisters-in-law, Mary Crabbs and Sharon Unger; stepson, Jeffrey Walters; step grandson, Jesse Walters; and nieces and nephews, James (Marlene) Crouse, Larry (Marie) Naugle and Lisa (Richard) Desorcy.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Agnes F. (Guttenberger) Crabbs and second wife, Adelaide “Judy” Walters Crabbs. He was predeceased by siblings, Donald Crabbs, Marty Naugle, Freida “May” Piechocki and Carolyn “Jean” Naugle.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made out to the Widows and Orphans Fund, c/o Mt. Ararat Lodge #44, 136 East Gordon Street, Bel Air, MD 21014 or the P.A.R. (Police Assistance Relief) Fund, c/o the Baltimore County FOP Lodge #4, 9304 Harford Road, Parkville, MD 21234.