Howard Crotts

"H.C." Howard Crotts, Jr., 77 of Salem, Va, passed away Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
Born Friday, June 11, 1948, in Salem, Va, to the late Howard Clifford Crotts, Sr. and Louise Mills Crotts.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Richard Wayne Crotts; sister, Diana Crotts Helm; and son, Jody Crotts.
After graduation, H.C. proudly served his country as an MP in the United States Army.
H.C., a Salem native, owned and operated Crotts Heating and Air Conditioning and later was employed with Richfield Retirement Community as their Assistant Maintenance Director. Inspired by his Uncle Cooney Counts, H.C. was a lifelong collector of Antiques. His collections included local artwork, historical artifacts, rocks, shells, insects, deer antlers, pottery, and many other treasured pieces. H.C. had a passion for various music genres and gardening. He collected Salem historical artifacts and previously served on the Board of The Salem Historical Society. H.C. was a lifelong member of Salem Baptist Church.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Donna Crotts; son, Todd Crotts; and grandchildren, Delaney Crotts and Virginia Iris Kingery. His sisters-in-law, Sherry Reynolds (Steve), Robin Eller (Steve); daughter-in-law, Katie True, and her husband, Justin; nephew, Petey Huffman (Chantelle); friends, Dan Brugh, Rich Bond, Chris and Angelia Clark, and Daryel Smith, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews also survive.
A special thank you to the nurses and staff at the Salem VA Medical Center for their exceptional care.
Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made in H.C.'s memory to The American Heart Association, www.heart.org, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), https://donate.pbsavirginia.org/, Rescue Mission, www.rescuemission.net/donate, or Feeding Southwest Virginia, www.feedingswva.org.
The family will welcome friends for a period of visitation on Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 2 until 4 p.m. at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem.
A graveside service will be conducted on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Sherwood Memorial Park with Dr. Heath Rickmond, senior pastor of Salem Baptist Church, officiating.
Online condolences may be expressed to the Crotts family by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.