Long time Tulsa North resident, actor, businessman, father and friend, Adoulph Crisp was called home to our Lord on Thursday, May 4. The son of Lillie Bell Payne of Boley, Oklahoma and Homer Crisp of Grayson, Oklahoma, Adoulph was born in Hoffman, Oklahoma in Okmulgee County. After completing high school, Crisp earned a Bachelors Degree of Science in Chemical Engineering from The Ohio State University, becoming one of the country's first African-American metallurgists. Upon graduation, Crisp served two-years as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army, and later moved to Cleveland, Ohio.



While living in Ohio, Crisp joined the Caramou Theater Company, were he meet Betty Logan. Adoulph and Betty wed on June 29, 1959. After a few years in Ohio, the Crisps, with their eldest son Mark, moved to New Jersey. In 1968, the Crisp, now with eldest daughter Celeste, settled in Tulsa. From his union with his wife, he fathered one last child, Kelly.



Adoulph began his professional career in metals and minerals in Tulsa when he established Premium Process Metals, located off of Pine and North Utica, and Premium Discount Gas, located off of Pine and Boston. Crisp operated Premium Process Metals for more than two decades, before finally selling his interest in the early 1990s. Crisp true passion in life was acting. In 1981, Crisp led a group of actors from Theater Tulsa to tour Monte Carlo in the production of Stations. Crisp, also, starred in a production of Will Rogers at Home. In 1991, Crisp was recognized for his role as the first African-American Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall in the Halls of Ivory, whereupon the state of Oklahoma did an official recognition day in Marshall's honor. 10 years later, Crisp took on the role of Preacher Oedipus in The Gospel at Colonus. Crisp was an active member in Theater North and American Theater Company. A friend to many, Crisp welcomed people of all races into his home, providing guidance, shelter and assistance in their time of need. In his latter years, Mr. Crisp continued to host various events, from holiday gatherings and birthday parties to social gatherings at his home, welcoming women, social clubs, and organizations.



Remaining to cherish his precious memories: his wife, Betty Crisp, two sons: Marc Crisp, and Kelly Crisp, one daughter, Celeste (Kenneth Jedlicka), two grandchildren: Nichole Crisp and Komari Crisp, and three great-grandchildren: Makayla Hill, Kaedence and Kingston Crisp.

Services are Wednesday May 11, 2011 at 11AM inside our All Faiths Chapel in Tulsa. Visitation is Tuesday from 12Noon-7PM.