Graveside service with Masonic and military honors for Clarence Thomas Cruse, age 88, of Decatur, will be Sunday, March 12, 2017, 2:30 p.m. at Burningtree Memorial Gardens with Minister Mark Hobbs officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Shelton Funeral Home prior to service.
Mr. Cruse, who died Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at his residence, was born January 20, 1929, in Calhoun County, to Oliver Harmon Cruse and Bamer Carole Cruse. He was preceded in death by his stepson, Leyden Edward Willingham, and two brothers, Robert Lamar Cruse and Carl Cruse. Mr. Cruse was a member of Lakeview Baptist Church, and a U. S. Navy veteran of the Korean War. He loved baseball and was very active in coaching and supporting Dixie Youth Baseball for 20 years.
He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Betty Joyce Gearheart Cruse of Decatur; one son, Tommy Cruse of Decatur; two daughters, Kathy Wallace (Clark) of Williamsburg, VA, and Karen Schlangen (Mike) of Decatur; one brother, Jimmy Cruse (Annette) of Jacksonville; one sister, Linda Wright of Trussville; six grandchildren, Brannon, Corey, Ally, Tonya, Emily, and Ashley; and one great-grandchild, Kylee.
The Masons will serve as pallbearers.
