GREENWOOD
Jack Allen Cruse, 79, of Greenwood, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016.
Born Jan. 17, 1937, in Indianapolis, to the late Brentwood and Mary Lou (Keller) Cruse, he was a graduate of Fort Wayne North Side High School, received his Bachelor of Arts from Ball State University and received his Master of Arts from San Diego State.
Jack served as director of education and training for GTE, now Verizon, for 25 years. After retiring from GTE, he was appointed to an agency by then-Gov. Evan Bayh. He was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash award at the end of his service.
He had many hobbies that he excelled at, including photography, amateur painting, woodworking, furniture making and sport car rallying with his wife.
Jack was a member of Southland Community Church. He loved to be on the ocean or on the Mississippi with his family.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Claire (Shadley) Cruse; two daughters, Cathi Vessell (Mike) of St. Louis, Missouri, and Christine Hiller (Glenn) of La Verne, California; four grandchildren, Sarah, Julia, Shelby and Dina; and siblings, Tom Cruse (Katherine), Sue Ellen Edmonds (Jim), Rick Cruse (Debbie); sister-in-law, Marcia Doerr (Gene); and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Feb. 20 at Southland Community Church, with memorial visitation from 1 to 2 p.m. prior to the service.
Arrangements were entrusted to G.H. Herrmann Greenwood Funeral Home at The Gardens at Olive Branch.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Southland Community Church Building Fund, Great Lakes Hospice or Alzheimer’s Association, in care of the funeral home.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at ghherrmann.com.
