Chris Crews

Chris Crews, age 48, passed away December 25, 2025. He was born September 18, 1977 in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, the son of Karen Crews, of Kirby. He was married to the love of his life, Amber on April 11, 2020. He was preceded in death by his mother, Karen; his grandparents Vera Mae and Horace Raines of Kirby, his "little sis" Cheryl Ellerd and Great Aunt and Uncle Lindsey and Mildred Golden of Kirby.

He attended Kirby School and was a well-loved member of the Class of 1996. He was raised in Kirby along with his siblings- Paul, Cristy, Cheryl, Angie and Amy, by his mother, Karen, and grandmother Vera Mae. 

Chris was a storyteller from an early age, a skill that grew to be unmatched with time and the telling. He was loud, animated and full of mischief. He could perform impressions of nearly anyone, causing riotous laughter. Over the years, he and his group of friends committed many shenanigans in the name of fun. Rarely an evening passed in Kirby without Chris and friends holding down a local parking lot between rounds of thinking of stupid but hilarious things to do, executing said idea with varying degrees of success or failure and reassembling to discuss the results of the great nonsense that had taken place. The more events were retold, the more hilarious they became. These and many other moments led to him being unanimously elected to a lifetime appointment as Mayor of Kirby.

 Through the years, Chris was involved in many interests. Mechanically inclined, he learned about and knew everything under a hood. He loved classic cars and restored many over the years, including the infamous Super Nova. Chris attended and competed in countless car shows over the years in addition to organizing and judging many throughout the state. He was known far and wide in the classic car community as knowledgeable, helpful and always willing to lend a hand. 

Next to his home in Kirby, he built a shop where he worked while taking care of his mom, Karen, in her later years. "Devoted" does not adequately describe the love and care he expressed for her every day, by a million actions, large and small. He managed their home, and her health and care while working full time and managing a business. During this period, he had many visitors at the shop and it became a gathering place for friends. It was also during this time where circumstances introduced him to the gecko world after adopting "Pug," the veiled chameleon. He did not know it at the time, but Pug would lead to many more adventures.

Chris and Amber began their grand adventure in 2017 and their love spanned almost a decade. In each other, they found their soulmate and best friend. Not long after they met, AO (All Our) Geckos was created and led to many more adventures. They shared a passion for nature, travel, and all the reptiles and animals. Chris enjoyed spending time with his nieces and nephews on both sides of the family. They looked up to him so much and he will be missed more than words can say.

His favorite thing of all was spending countless hunting seasons at deer camp with Amber and his best friends. Throughout his life, he harvested around 60 deer, many with his favorite rifle, a Browning Automatic. He especially loved hunting the Lake Greeson Management Area and the areas around the Tram Roads. He also loved camping and fishing and enjoyed many nights around the campfire with family and friends. 

He was a lifelong wrestling fan and found a kindred spirit in his good friend’s daughter, Tori. Together, Chris, Amber, and their families traveled to many wrestling events, meeting childhood heroes and practicing many tried and true wrestling maneuvers, many on friends and family, all while making more hilarious memories. Beware the Figure Four and Lethal Drop Kick. 

He was an avid RC racer and made many new friends though racing who will miss him greatly. He also loved his classic 1972 Nova. 

Chris had a big personality and an even bigger heart. He quietly helped countless people over the years. He made friends in every room he entered. He offered guidance to those beginning in industries he knew well and was present for friends in every season of life. He was indescribably loyal to anyone he loved. In addition to his many nieces and nephews, he also became an uncle to the children of his closest friends— showing them the ropes around reptiles or mechanics, or sometimes just giving them loud toys to irritate their parents. He would laugh that big, contagious laugh until everyone around him dissolved into laughter too. 

He is survived by his wife, Amber; siblings Paul Raines of Hot Springs, Cristy and Tom Glass of Mayflower, Amy Duboise of Athens, and Angie and Michael Golden of Athens. His brother and sister-in-law Athena and A.J. Summers of Mabelvale; his Aunt and Uncle Phillip and Renee Raines of Glenwood, along with their son Brice Raines; cousins Marsha Haller and Miranda Raines of Magnolia; nieces and nephews Roy Hawkins of Hot Springs, Rachel and Brook Rankin and their family of East End, Dakota Pope, Ethan Summers and Kylee Summers, Braxxton Rae, Khristian Ratliff and Gabriel Golden of Athens, Sebastian and Catherine Ratliff and family of De Queen and Savannah and Matt Jones and family of Greenbriar, Chipper Duboise, D'Artanian Duboise and Ray Duboise, all of Hot Springs.

 A celebration of Chris' life will be held at a later date with details forthcoming. Honorary Pallbearers are Chris' enormous family of friends. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Smith Family Funeral Home in care of the family.