Crull, Garry Lloyd

Garry Lloyd Crull, 80, died on August 16th of cancer. He was born January 24, 1944, the oldest child of Lloyd and Florence (Jeffers) Crull. 1962 graduate of North Boone High School, Poplar Grove, IL, and graduated in 1966 from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL. with a BS in Education and in 1976 from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville with a MS in Guidance and counseling.

On June 4, 1967 he married his true love, Karen L. Smith. In 1970 they welcomed Kari Lee and in 1973 Jeffrey Lloyd to be the family he treasured.

His teaching career began in 1967 at Davenport West High School, Davenport, IA. as a driver education teacher.

In 1968 he and Karen moved to Wisconsin and began a 32 year career at the Iowa-Grant School District, teaching (K-12 phy Ed and Drivers Ed) coaching (26 years in football and short times with track-state runner up one year, basketball, and golf.)

In 1976 he began a 19 year head coach position (previously 7 years as an assistant coach) with a 137-43 record. He coached 5 undefeated teams. (1976, 1977, 1979, 1988, and 1993), had 6 conference championships, one state championship, and 2 runners up. He was District coach of the year 5 times and in 1977 was named Wisconsin High School Football Coach of the year.

In 1980 he was an assistant coach for the South Shrine All-Star football team and in 1992 was named head coach of the South Shrine All-Star football team that included his son, Jeff.

He was inducted into the Wisconsin High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1996 and the National High School Football Hall of Fame in 2007.

 September, 2015 the football field at Iowa-Grant was named “Coach Crull Field.” His love of sports and the entire faculty and student body at Iowa-Grant has rewarded him with many life-long relationships and friends. He had so many treasured memories that he often talked about

Once retired (2000) they moved back to Illinois where he and Karen became members of Grace United Methodist Church in Rockford, IL. He led many men’s groups, served on different committees, was the delegate to the Annual Church Conference, and a lifetime member of United Methodist Men, and right up to the end helped mow the church’s large lawn. In 2024 He was honored as the 868th fellow of the Society of John Wesley.

He is survived by his wife, Karen of 57 years, daughter, Kari McCue and son Jeff (Amy) and his beloved grandchildren, Nina, Gwen, and Garrett Crull, his sister Kathy Anderson, brothers Gordon (Autumn) Brad (Kerry) Brian (Sue), brother-in-law, Jim Smith (Sharon), many nieces, nephews, cousins, and his aunt Ellen Anderson.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Florence Crull, his in-laws Wendell and Thelma Smith, his son-in-law Shannon McCue, and nephews James Bliss and David Smith.

Services will be held at Grace United Methodist Church. Located at 3555 McFarland Road, Rockford, IL on August 27th. Visitation from 9-11 and service at 11am.

The service will be live streamed at graceumcrockford.org

Donations in Garry’s honor may be made to Grace United Methodist Church or to the Iowa County (WI) Cancer Coalition.