LeRoy Crippen was born February 26, 1965 in Baltimore, Maryland
to Leonard Crippen, Jr. and Dorothy Ellen Levy Crippen at the
University of Maryland Hospital.

He spent his early childhood educated at Alexander Hamilton
Elementary, Campfield Elementary, Sudbrook Middle, Woodlawn
and Randallstown Senior High schools. LeRoy was very athletic
and possessed a creative personality like no other. It was at these
schools, that he found an interest in music, sports and art. He
played the piano and later football, baseball and then on to his
passion of basketball. He was an active high school basketball
player and participated in various recreation and summer leagues,
to include Leon Howard's and Wes Unseld's Baltimore Neighborhood
Basketball League (BNBL) and continued to mentor many young
people in the sport well past his college days.

After graduating from Randallstown Senior High in 1983, LeRoy
enlisted into the United States Army where he served at Fort Lee,
Virginia as a Logistics Specialist. After completing his service in 1987,
he entered into his college career beginning at Tusculum College in
Tennessee, later transferring to Virginia Union University and
culminating his education at the University of Maryland Easter Shore
where he majored in Commercial Art.

LeRoy was an outstanding basketball player. A man who could
"jump out of the gym." He was a perfectionist on and off the court.
He could be seen practicing his ball skills from sun up till sun down
and sometimes not beating the streetlights home for those who know
what that means. If he missed a shot, he would have to make 2 in a
row, ifhe missed 2 he had to make 4 in a row, so on and so forth
until he accomplished his goals. LeRoy was also an accomplished
artist, who created his own superhero called "The Chief,
" a Native American superhero much like Superman, with voice over
done by his brother Reginald while playing around in their parents
kitchen.

Throughout his life, LeRoy was surrounded by love. His parents
instilled the values and morals that would guide him on the path
of life he ventured on with love and encouragement from his family.
He was spiritually raised in the Ebenezer A.M.E. Church where he
served as a member of the Youth Usher Board and Youth Choir.
He was a large part of many Youth Day celebrations.

He was not just an artist or ball player, but he was family to all who
knew and loved him. Affectionately called "Meatball," because he was
a chubby baby. Known to many was the love of his nieces Tida and
Kanya. As he said in many of his Facebook posts, "My nieces
are my heart."

LeRoy leaves to mourn his passing, his mother Dorothy Ellen
Levy Crippen (Manning, South Carolina), father, Leonard Crippen, Jr.
(Clayton, New Jersey), younger brother Reginald Otis Crippen
(Baltimore, Maryland )and his wife Olga Crippen (Reading,
Pennsylvania), nieces Tida Nichelle Crip- pen (Tacoma, Washington),
Kanya Aries Crippen (Baltimore, Maryland) and a host of aunts, uncles,
and cousins. Especially his Aunt Denise Crippen

(Baltimore, Maryland) affectionately known as Uncle Niecy.
"See Uncle Niecy, I still got jokes." Countless friends and classmates
especially Mike Kirk, and one of the greatest supervisors and best
friends, Gene Miller also grieve the loss of such a precious, beloved
and talented individual.

LeRoy was preceded in death by his Grandfather, Moses Levy Sr.,
Grandmother Millie Crippen and Uncle, Arnold Crippen, all who will
be waiting to receive him into the Kingdom of God.

Viewing Joseph H. Brown Jr. Funeral Home Friday, June 22, 2018 04:00 PM - 08:00 PM Email Details 2140 N. Fulton Ave
Baltimore, Maryland 21217 Directions Funeral Service Joseph H. Brown Jr. Funeral Home Saturday, June 23, 2018 10:00 AM Email Details 2140 N. Fulton Ave
Baltimore, Maryland 21217 Funeral Service will begin @ 10:30AM Directions