PURCELLVILLE, Va. (WUSA) -- A freak accident claimed the life of a popular home builder in Loudoun and Fairfax counties. George Crisp, 54, died while playing softball after a ball was batted into his neck.
Donna Crisp is preparing for a quieter future without her beloved husband.
She says, "I'm going to miss his shear goofiness."
Donna says George loved life, his five children, building homes and softball.
She says, "He picked up the slow pitch in the Navy. He was really, really good."
George Crisp started building homes decades ago and started his own company from the ground up. His children also help out in the family building business.
The little free time he had was spent on the ball field. He was proud to be the oldest member of the Mudcats.
Last Saturday, he was at the Potamack Lake Sportsplex in Sterling. He was pitching in a one pitch tournament in his adult softball league when something went terribly wrong.
George pitched the ball. The batter hit a line drive right into George's neck.
Witnesses say he turned his head to avoid the hit, but he didn't get his glove up in time.
The impact ruptured his carotid artery causing him to suffer a heart attack. He died at the hospital.
His wife repeats her husband's favorite saying: 'It is what it is,' and blames no one.
Donna says, "The Lord doesn't make mistakes; it was his time for whatever reason."
Besides his love of softball, he traveled the world with his church at Temple Baptist in Herndon, building hospitals, churches and orphanages. He participated in 10 different mission trips.
His family is now trying to find their way without him.
Donna says, "There's a hole in in our family, the size of Texas. It will never be the same."
The man who did so much continues to give even in death.
George was an organ donor and, so far, he has given three people a second chance at life. His lungs and kidneys have been donated. His heart was not able to go to a recipient because he suffered a heart attack.
Hundreds are expected to attend George Crisp's viewing Thursday night and his funeral on Friday.
