Charles William Crouch 94, of Anadarko

Image
  • Charles William Crouch
    Charles William Crouch
Body

Charles William Crouch was a New Year’s baby born on Jan. 1, 1925 in Sentinel. He passed away on Aug. 30, 2019, at the age of 94, in Mustang.

He was preceded in death by his parents George and Nettie (Roberson) Crouch, his wife of 61 years, Leila Crouch, and his daughter Patricia.

Charles was a faithful member of the Church of Christ all of his life. He is now at peace with the Lord and reunited with Leila.

Charles was an Army veteran of WWII. He served honorably in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign. During the Army Occupation of Japan, Charles served in the Quartermaster Depot Company. He loved telling stories of the adventures he had while in Japan. Especially the harrowing and rough ship ride to Japan where they crossed the equator several times, because they kept getting pushed back across by a typhoon. He seemed to enjoy recalling that story, probably much more than the experience at the time.

After Charles returned from the war, he continued to court his sweetheart Leila Belle Callaway, and they married on Oct. 24, 1949. They were married for 61 years until 2011 when he lost his Leila. Their union produced four children; Michael, Patricia, Dale, and Lynne. He was so proud of them and their spouses.

Charles’ career expertise was in the electrical field. He worked for OG&E for nine years, then Western Farmers Coop for eight years, and finally the last 12 years with the U.S. Department of Energy, where he retired.

When his children were young, he was very involved with the Boy Scouts of America. He was recognized many times for his achievements and his commitment to the organization and to the boys he mentored. He was very proud that his two sons became Eagle Scouts.

During his Boy Scout days he began wood carving, and became quite good at it. Besides figurines, he was sort of famous for his turtles with their bobbing heads and tails. He’d give those away to his favorite personal and business acquaintances. He loved to carve canes. Too many to count. All with different stories to tell. He would never sell his canes, but if someone needed a cane he would carve a unique one just for them. When asked once how he could carve an eagle so perfectly and evenly, he replied that he just carved away everything that didn’t look like an eagle. Simple!

Charles is survived by his children and their spouses: Michael and Jimmie Kay Crouch, Dale and Sandy Crouch, and Lynne and Woody Woodrell, as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Crystal and her daughter Ashton, Kaci and her son Gabe, Kylia Crouch, Amanda and Jason Seay, and Joe and Diane Woodrell, and their son Edison.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019, at Memory Lane Cemetery in Anadarko. Chaplin Cord Fowler will be officiating. Military Honors will be by Stephens County Honor Guard.

Visitation begins at 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019, and family members will be at the funeral home from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. to greet visitors.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Physicians Choice Hospice in Edmond.

Services under the direction of Smith Funeral Home, Anadarko, OK.

Messages of condolences may be sent to: www.smithfuneralservices.com.