V. Ray Crouse went to be with our Lord on Sunday, October 30, 2022.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m, Thursday, November 3, at Hillcrest Funeral Home, Rev. Bobby McGee officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Visitation will begin at noon.
Ray was born in Canebrake, West Virginia to Lewis M. Crouse and Ola Virginia Wade Crouse. As a teen he moved with his family to Plant City, Florida, where he graduated PCHS, followed by joining the Marine Corps and was stationed on the U.S.S. Mississippi. He was honorably discharged and continued his education at North Carolina State University receiving his BS degree in mechanical engineering. His first employer was Uniroyal, Inc. in Shelbyville, transferring after 22 years to Uniroyal, Inc. in Winnsboro, S.C. He later moved his family back to Shelbyville and retired as Plant Engineer with George Dickel in Normandy.
He is survived by his wife, Carol McLean Crouse; children, Virginia (Fred) Caldwell of Cartersville, Georgia, Wade Crouse (Debbie Christie) of Estill Springs, Charley (Kate) Crouse of Knoxville, Stephanie Randolph and Josh Crouse of Shelbyville; 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; one sister, Eunice Moore of Tampa, Florida; and a brother, Lewis Crouse Jr. of Plant City. Ray was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Paul, Allen, Benny and Dale Crouse.
Ray loved to play golf as often as the weather permitted and sometimes when it didn’t. He was featured in newspapers and TV for his outstanding putting skills and occasional long drives in his out-of-town business tournaments. He outlived most of his regular golfing buddies but continued vplaying by himself as he preferred to tee off early in the mornings. He also never turned down a fishing trip.
Ray loved God, his family and his country. He was of the Baptist faith and a devout Christian who accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior.
In lieu of flowers, Ray would appreciate donations be made to the U.S.
Marine Corps Toys for Tots, https://www.toysfortots.org, or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
“Semper Fi”
