BROOKFIELD, WIS. — Lessiter Media is mourning the loss of one of its most valuable contributing editors, Dan Crummett, who passed away unexpectedly this week at his home in Coyle, Okla. He was 78.

No-Till Farmer Editor Frank Lessiter said Dan made major contributions the magazine’s content for many years, first as a freelance writer before taking an expanded role at Lessiter Media in 2023 as a contributing editor. 

Just recently, Crummett won regional and national honors from the American Society of Business Publication Editors for an article on how soil testing is evolving into ‘predictive agronomy.’

“Many times he told me and others that working with Lessiter Media was one of the most enjoyable parts of his long-term ag writing career,” Lessiter said.

Dan also contributed content for No-Till Farmer, Strip-Till Farmer, Cover Crop Strategies, Farm Equipment, Farm Innovations and Precision Farming Dealer. In recent years, he’s also contributed as technical editor for Ag Equipment Intelligence’s custom research offering.

His expanded role included his reoccurring “Ahead of the Curve” columns as well as additional in-depth interviewing, writing and podcast work. 

Senior Editor John Dobberstein worked with Crummett on No-Till Farmer editorial for many years and said his veteran presence and leadership will be missed. “Dan was an outstanding ag journalist who was dedicated to his farmer readers and his colleagues. 

“He mentored the younger ag editors here at Lessiter Media and was a pleasure to work with day in and day out. I will miss the earnest way he went about his writing, his friendship and his hearty laugh. We truly considered Dan to be a friend of this company and he will be sorely missed.”

Dan Michael Crummett was born in Ponca City, Okla., on April 18, 1948, to Ruby and Austin Crummett. Growing up, he attended Garfield Elementary School and East Junior High and was a 1966 graduate from Ponca City High School.

His junior year, he met his wife, Jerrie Sue McClaflin. Following college at Oklahoma State Univ. they were married in 1970, remaining in a lifelong marriage for 56 years. 

The same year, Dan served the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1971-1972, achieving the rank of SP4 with the 445th Aviation Assault Helicopter Company. As part of a Presidential Early-Out Program, Dan was able to serve his remaining 2 years stateside in the National Guard. 

Dan and Jerrie lived in Oklahoma City while he worked at The Associated Press. Dan later returned to OSU to earn a master’s degree in agriculture and began working for the university’s Ag Information Department as a columnist for outstanding ag producers, 4-H, and agribusiness.

Dan also worked at the Farmer Stockman Magazine in Edmond, Okla., where he rose to become editor. Dan continued as an editor for the company, known as Farm Progress, and later became an executive editor until his retirement in 2013.

After retirement he formed DMC Communications and continued to freelance for several major agricultural publications, and especially for Lessiter Media up until the time of his death. With more than 40 years in regional and national ag journalism, including editing state farm magazines and web-based machinery reporting, Dan had a long-term interest in no-till and conservation tillage. 

He was also active in professional organizations, including what is now the Ag Communicators Network, for which he served as president for a year. 

Dan enjoyed spending time with family, his loyal dog Lili, hunting, hydroplane boat racing, vacationing in the mountains, and exploring trails in his Polaris Ranger. He was an active member of Countryside Baptist Church along with the men’s group. He was preceded in death by his parents, Austin and Ruby Crummett, and one grandson, Gabriel Longan.

Dan is survived by his wife, Jerrie; as well as his two daughters, Jami Pittman and husband Jeremy, from Preston, Okla.; and Jill Longan and husband Gary, from Perkins, Okla. 

Dan and Jerrie have five grandchildren: Ashley Varner and husband Gunnar, from Okemah, Okla. Matthew Pittman from Preston, OK. Graden Longan, Garrison Longan, and Gunner Longan from Perkins, Okla. A sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mary and Blaine Talbot, from Stillwater, Okla. A niece, Whitney Warner, and husband Cody, from Stillwater, Okla. A nephew, Collin Talbot, and wife, Mandy, of Parker, Colo., along with a handful of great-nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 29, 2026, at Countryside Baptist Church in Stillwater, Okla., followed by a graveside service at Resthaven Cemetery at 3 p.m. in Ponca City, Okla., under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.

Flowers may be sent to Countryside Baptist Church prior to the service or to Trout Funeral Home.