Obituary for Edmond “Bing” Crosby III Edmond “Bing” Crosby III August 17, 1934 – January 4, 2019 Edmond “Bing” Crosby III: restauranteur, story teller, Native American art dealer, a team roping cowboy with a knack for trouble and a heart of gold. He was an authority in all things American Indian. In short: a legend.
Bing passed away, surrounded by loved ones, on January 4th, 2019 due to complications from a stroke. Bing was born in McAlester, Oklahoma. His love affair with Native American art began at just 15 years old when he worked in his family’s restaurants trading hamburgers for pottery and jewelry.
That jewelry made its way into suitcases, which he packed up and took on the road. He’d visit numerous customers across the country, often taking the artists along with him. But as any true road warrior knows, the road comes with both obstacles and opportunities.
In Bing’s case, when faced with a road block, he simply took to the skies. His turquoise was airborne. Bing was in the wholesale and manufacturing industry of Native American jewelry before touching down in Park City.
He and his wife, Vickie, opened The Crosby Collection in 1990 which is still open to this day. Until recently, Bing worked six days a week, always accompanied by a four-legged friend. Bingo, as many friends fondly called him, was larger than life.
He was a consummate gentleman – a man who even in illness, still opened doors for his beautiful wife. A man who’d deliver a one liner that could make a room roar and in the same breath, envelope you in a wonderfully detailed origin story about his favorite pueblo potter. If you knew Bing, then you knew about his “colorful” vocabulary.
The kind that could make a sailor blush. But that was him – unapologetically authentic. A true American original.
If you were lucky enough to call Bing a friend, then you probably have a funny Bing story. It’s just the way he was, and he was proud of it. Bing’s legacy can never be forgotten because it exists in those stories and in all of our hearts.
Bing was preceded in death by his parents Helen and Edmond Crosby II, his son Matthew Crosby and his beloved Krozdog. Survivors include his loving wife, Vickie (Park City, UT), his sons David (Connie) Crosby (Albuquerque, NM) and Chris (Heather) Crosby (Oklahoma), his constant companion Lander Blu, grandsons Cody Crosby and Clay Crosby (Albuquerque, NM) and granddaughter Cheyenne (Maverick) Thatcher (England) and great-grandson Tenor Thatcher. Thanks to the wonderful staff and the facility at Elk Meadows who loved and took care of Bing and his family.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 10th, 2019 from 4-6PM, with services on the following Friday, January 11th, 2019 at 11AM. Both visitation and services will be held at French’s Funerals and Cremations, 7121 Wyoming Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM. WEAR TURQUOISE!
! ! Pallbearers: Cody Crosby, Clay Crosby, Keith Wallace, Ernie Fralie, Devon Pilney, Bryn Pilney, Wayne Berger, Kevin Yeager and Tyler Stoddard.
Honorary Pallbearers: Benny Aldrich, Gary Gordon, Don Swaby, Don Shoemaker, Robert Casey and Jack Whitaker. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to be made in Bing’s name to Nuzzles and Company – Donate online: nuzzlesandco.org/ o Ways to give/Donate (menu) o “Donate Today”” button on home page – Donate via mail: 6699 N Landmark Dr, Suite B-103C, Park City, UT 84098 To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Edmond “Bing” Crosby III please visit our Sympathy Store. Upcoming Events Visitation JAN 10.
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM French Funerals and Cremation 7121 Wyoming Blvd. Albuquerque, NM, US, 87109 Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before Edmond “Bing”‘s Visitation begins. Service JAN 11.
11:00 AM French Funerals and Cremation 7121 Wyoming Blvd. Albuquerque, NM, US, 87109 Order Flowers for the Service Guaranteed delivery before Edmond “Bing”‘s Service begins.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
