Thomas "Tom" Crenshaw

December 31, 1952 - October 31, 2026

Obituary

Thomas D. “Tommy” Crenshaw passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at his home on the afternoon of October 31, 2026.

Tommy was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, professor, mentor, friend, and follower of Jesus Christ. He loved people deeply and lived a life characterized by faith, service, and encouragement of others.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Connie (Pinkston) Crenshaw; his son, Ben Crenshaw (Joy); his daughter, Jenny Merrick; seven grandchildren, Hannah (Crenshaw) Johnson (Jake), Laney Merrick, Nathan Crenshaw, Addie Merrick, Sam Crenshaw, Will Merrick, and Caitlyn Crenshaw; and his great-grandson, Maverick Johnson. He loves each of you immensely and is extraordinarily proud of the persons you have become.

Tommy was born on December 31, 1952, in Dyersburg, Tennessee, and grew up nearby in Newbern, surrounded by family and friends. He was the middle child of Billy Jo and Betty (Via) Crenshaw and grew up alongside his siblings, Kathy Latham, Randall Crenshaw, Mark Crenshaw, and Joe Crenshaw. He graduated from Newbern High School in 1970. It was in Newbern that Tommy learned the importance of hard work, the value of an education, and, most importantly, who Jesus was - a faith that would shape the rest of his life.

In the fall of 1971, while attending the University of Tennessee at Martin, Tommy met Connie on a blind date. That date began with a partnership that would span more than five decades. They married and built a life together rooted in love, faith, family, friendship, and service to others.

After earning his bachelor's degree in animal science from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 1974, Tommy and Connie moved to Lincoln, Nebraska. There, he earned his master’s and Ph.D. degrees in swine nutrition at the University of Nebraska, completing his Ph.D. in 1980. Nebraska was also where Tommy and Connie began their family.

In 1980, they moved to Madison, Wisconsin, where Tommy began what would become a 46-year career as a professor in the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His primary research focused on animal nutrition, and throughout his career he taught, mentored, and worked alongside generations of students and colleagues.

For Tommy, however, his work was always about more than research, degrees, or professional accomplishments. It was about people.

He loved his family, students, colleagues, and his church family. He was always genuinely glad to see someone or hear from an old friend, even when years had passed since they had last spoken. Tommy had a special way of seeing people. He encouraged them, believed in them, and often saw opportunity and hope where others could not.

The boundaries between Tommy’s professional and personal lives frequently disappeared as students became colleagues, colleagues became friends, and friendships endured for decades. He gave generously his time, knowledge, encouragement, and himself. He was always willing to serve others, to share his life with them, and, most importantly, to share the hope he had in Jesus Christ.

Tommy is also survived by his brothers, Randall (Vicki) Crenshaw, Mark (Janet) Crenshaw, and Joe (Jan-Marie) Crenshaw; and his sister-in-law Jeanie (Dent) Yarbro and brothers-in-law Jack (Margaret) Ricketts and Tommye Latham. He was preceded in death by his parents, Billy Jo and Betty Crenshaw; his sister, Kathy Latham; and his sister-in-law, Joan Bergeron.

Tommy leaves behind an extraordinary number of people whose lives are better because he took the time to know them, encourage them, teach them, laugh with them, serve them, and love them. His family will miss him beyond words, but they are grateful for the life he lived, the faith he shared, and the example he leaves behind.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the DeForest Windsor Fire & EMS teams and the Dane County Sheriff’s teams for the kind and compassionate care they provided.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to Advent Conspiracy at Blackhawk Church, a ministry that reflects Tommy’s desire to serve others and share Christ’s love. https://blackhawkchurch.onlinegiving.org/donate/guest_donate?&fund=Tom+Crenshaw+Memorial+-+Advent+Conspiracy&lf=1#!/

A celebration of life will be held on Monday, November 23, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Blackhawk Church, 9620 Brader Way, Middleton. A visitation will be held on Monday at the church from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service. A light reception will be held at the church following the service.

Events

Visitation

Mon Nov 23, 2026 @ 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CST

Blackhawk Church • 9620 Brader Way, Middleton, WI 53562

Get Directions Send Flowers for Thomas's Visitation

Celebration of Life

Mon Nov 23, 2026 @ 2:00 PM CST

Blackhawk Church • 9620 Brader Way, Middleton, WI 53562

Get Directions Send Flowers for Thomas's Celebration of Life

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Sylvia Poulos

Coworker • 1 day ago

My thoughts and prayers to Tom's family, friends, colleagues and others who had the privilege of knowing him.

Wei guo

Coworker • 2 days ago

I feel truly blessed to have known Tom as a colleague, mentor, friend, and brother in Christ. He was one of the kindest, most generous, and most caring people I have ever known. During my early years as a faculty member at UW–Madison, Tom was always there to encourage and support me. He generously shared his knowledge, devoted countless hours to helping me develop my teaching, and enthusiastically contributed to my research. What touched me most was not simply how much he helped, but the way he helped—with genuine joy, humility, patience, and respect. He never made anyone feel that he stood above them, regardless of their background or experience. Tom had an extraordinary gift for making people feel valued, heard, and loved. He never tried to be a great man; he simply loved and cared for every person who came into his life. His faith was not merely something he spoke about, but something he lived every day through countless small acts of kindness and generosity. Tom was an exceptional scientist and educator, but above all, a remarkable human being whose life beautifully reflected Christ's love. Thank you, Tom, for your friendship, encouragement, and the example you set. You will be deeply missed and always remembered. My heartfelt condolences and prayers are with Connie and the entire Crenshaw family.

Alex

Coworker • 2 days ago

Tom was a great mentor and will be missed by many. He was encouraging, kind, and every interaction was always a learning moment. Condolences to his family.

Jiun-Wei

Friend • 2 days ago

As an international student in Professor Crenshaw's AN SCI 415 class, I will always remember him as a kind, righteous, faithful, joyful, and caring person. He was an exceptional professor who genuinely loved teaching and cared deeply about his students. His humor, patience, wisdom, and positive spirit touched so many lives. He was truly a wonderful person who will always be remembered and deeply missed. May he rest in peace.

Hadjer N.

Coworker • 3 days ago

Tom, Who Believed You left us far too soon, But the light you left behind Will live in every life you touched, In every heart, every mind. I will remember Tom the human, Tom the believer, Tom the guide; The one who saw the good in others, And stood beside them with pride. You gave us more than knowledge, More than lessons to pursue; You gave us faith in what we could become, By first believing in us too. I was one among your many students, Yet grateful beyond words to be; For the kindness and encouragement you gave Will always remain a part of me. With everlasting gratitude, One of your many grateful students. Hadjer N.

Yaqin He

Friend • 3 days ago

I came to this department in 2023 as a PhD student, far away from my home in China. Dr. Crenshaw served on my doctoral committee, but he became much more than an academic mentor to me. He was one of the reasons this unfamiliar place began to feel like home. I always loved visiting his office. Although he was in his seventies, he never made me feel that he was too busy or that I was taking up his time. Whenever something was on my mind—a difficult decision, a problem I couldn’t solve, or simply something I needed to talk through—I would go to his office, and we would talk for two or three hours, sometimes an entire afternoon. He never looked at the clock. He never rushed me. And somehow, I always left his office feeling calmer, stronger, and more confident than when I walked in. In the middle of 2024, I went through one of the most difficult periods of my life. I felt overwhelmed and lost, and I genuinely did not know what to do. So I went to see him. He didn’t simply tell me what I should do. Instead, he shared stories from his own life—honestly and openly—including the difficult choices he had made, the paths he had taken, and the things he had given up along the way. Through those conversations, he helped me look at my own situation more clearly and find the courage to make my own decisions. But what stayed with me most was not any particular piece of advice. It was the reassurance he gave me: whatever I decided, he would respect my choice and support me wholeheartedly. For a young student so far from home, struggling to find her way, that meant more than I can ever express. There is one more thing I want to share, and it is something I will always regret. For the past two years, I kept telling myself that the next time I returned to campus, I would visit him. Even if he had retired, I would go to his home, and we would sit together and talk for an afternoon, just as we used to. But now, I will never have that chance. That is a regret I will carry with me. And it has taught me something I hope we can all remember: don’t wait to visit the people who matter to you. Don’t put off telling them how much they mean to you. Spend time with them while you still can. Although Dr. Crenshaw is no longer with us, I know that his kindness and generosity will live on in the people whose lives he touched. Every time I take the time to listen to someone who is struggling, every time I offer patience instead of judgment, and every time I give someone the reassurance and support they need, I will be carrying forward a little of what he gave me. And in that way, he will always be here. This morning, while I was writing these words, a butterfly flew into my home. In Chinese tradition, when someone we love leaves this world, they come back as a butterfly. Thank you, Dr. Crenshaw. Thank you for your kindness, your wisdom, and, most of all, for all those afternoons. I will never forget them.