Breckenridge Texan

Dorothy Marie Crudgington, 87, Breckenridge, Texas, passed away Friday, February 26, 2021, surrounded by her loved ones. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m., Friday, March 5, at the Chapel of Memories with Michael Roach officiating the service. Interment to follow in the Breckenridge Cemetery under the direction of Melton Kitchens Funeral Home.

Dorothy Marie Crudgington was born March 10, 1933, to Rebecca Snowden Crudgington and Blackie Crudgington. She was reared in Breckenridge, graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1951 and saw the Bucks start the 1950s State Championship football dynasty.

At age 12, Dorothy began working at C.R. Anthony’s wrapping packages and continued to work there with increasing responsibilities.

At age 15, Dorothy won a shorthand contest at school, transcribing 150 words per minute, earning her a job with Lester Clark. For the next 20 years, she worked for Lester, O. H. Reaugh and Ross Elliot in the legal department of their gas and oil businesses, becoming a paralegal and department head.

After that, Dorothy embarked on a 20-year career at First National Bank, Breckenridge, working for Bill Craig and later Mr. Shelton and Mr. Carey. Throughout her banking career, she worked in Human Resources, traveled throughout Texas teaching banking classes and became Vice-President and loan officer over major loans.

When her banking career ended, Dorothy managed the Breckenridge Sonic for two years, where she impacted the lives and careers of the many students she managed, which was her favorite part.

Her third career was as Office Manager for the Old Jail Art Center in Albany, Texas, working closely with Reilly Nail. She held that position for 25 years, retiring at the end of 2017, at the age of 84.

After decades of hard work, Dorothy was able to retire and enjoy the fruits of her labor.

Dorothy was known for being ahead of her time, progressive, fiercely independent and a champion of doing what was right, regardless of the cost. She was an excellent mother and beloved by her son and daughter-in-law, Stephenie.

She married Edwin Jay “Candy” Walker in Breckenridge and several years later gave birth to their son, Raymond Jay Walker in 1967. She was preceded in death by her husband; her father; her mother, Becky Capers; and step-father, R.V. Capers, whom she loved dearly; her brother, Robert Crudgington; and many friends and colleagues.

She is survived by her son, Jay and wife Stephenie, of Breckenridge; granddaughter Alisha Walker of New Smyrna Beach, Florida; and special companion, Max, the one-eyed wonder poodle.

Memorials may be made in Dorothy’s name to the Humane Society of Breckenridge/Stephens County and the Breckenridge Fine Arts Center and may be left at the Melton Kitchens Funeral Home office. Condolence may be made at meltonkitchens.com.