Don Crisp was born on January 18, 1943, in Hartford, Alabama, to James William and Edna (Edenfield) Crisp. He was the third of four children, with older brothers Robert and Billy, and younger sister Betty. When Don was young, his family moved Jackson County, Florida where his parents owned Crisp Grocery Store in Marianna. Don was involved in the business from an early age. He graduated from Marianna High School in 1961 and attended Chipola Junior College before transferring to Florida State University, where he graduated in 1964.
Don started his title insurance career as a teenager working in the Clerk of the Court’s office in Jackson County. In the early 1970’s, he moved to Panama City, where he bought a small, three-person title company. From one building on 11th Street with half used as a title plant and the other half as a closing office and administrative office, he grew what would become Bay County Land and Abstract into the largest privately-owned title company in Bay County, with offices in Panama City, Panama City Beach, Callaway, and Lynn Haven. In 1984, he acquired a small chain of title companies around Florida, and Associated Land Title Group, Inc., came into being. Associated Land had offices throughout the state, from Pensacola to Jacksonville, and as far south as Naples. In early 2000, he sold both companies to First American Title Insurance Co., Inc., and remained a vice-president with the company until he retired in 2015.
Giving back to his community was always important to Don. Throughout his career and into retirement he served on many boards and in service organizations. He was a past chairman of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce, a past chairman of the Port Panama City Port Authority, a Trustee of Gulf Coast Community College and served on the FSU PC Development Board, the Gulf Coast Community College Foundation Board, the Military Affairs Committee of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce and for many years was active in the Panama City Jaycees.
One of his most outstanding achievements was serving as chairman of the Panama City Bay County International Airport Authority where he led the successful effort to relocate the community’s airport from the small, land-locked site in Panama City, to its current location. For his efforts, Don was recognized as a “Captain of American Aviation” by the George Washington University Aviation Institute. Don received many awards and accolades for his community service, including receiving the Lauren Merriam Memorial Award, the highest award given by the Bay County Chamber of Commerce.
Outside of his long and distinguished career in title insurance, Don was a devoted family man. He is survived by his wife of 25 years Tyrene Crisp, his children Ray Crisp (Lisa) of Panama City, Lou Crisp Lester (Robby) of Lake City, Florida, Terra Sasser (Mackey), and Trey Yon, all of Panama City Beach, grandchildren Samuel (Kori) Crisp, Michael (Amanda) Crisp, Brandon Lester, Trevor, Austin and Madison Yon, Maxwell and Kennedy Burgreen, and great-grandsons Jeremiah, Elijah, and Ezra Crisp. He is also survived by his sister Betty Crisp of Albany, Georgia, and sister-in-law, Patricia Crisp of Marianna, Florida, many nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.
Services will be held at St. Andrew Baptist Church on Saturday, February1, 2025, at 2:00. Graveside services will follow at Kent – Forest Lawn Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Bill Cramer, Jim Everitt, Jerome Foreman, Jimmy Patronis, John Pilcher and Wayne Stubbs. Asked to serve as honorary pallbearers are Allan Bense, Tommy Cato, Randy Chandler, George Smith and Charles Commander.
