Gary Crouse Obituary

Funeral services for Gary Marshall Crouse will be held on Friday, Aug. 3 at the First United Methodist Church of Cortez, 515 North Park, at 2 p.m. with Reverend Thomas Towns officiating. Burial will follow at the Cortez Cemetery with military honors being conducted at the cemetery.

A reception will follow the services at the Methodist Church's Hampton Hall.

Gary Marshall Crouse, 66, passed away Tuesday, July 24, 2012, in Cortez where he lived his whole life. Gary was born June 2, 1946 to Fred and Colleen (Maxey) Crouse. He graduated from Montezuma Cortez High School in 1965 where he was involved in sports and excelled in basketball.

Gary served in the National Guard for 10 years. He married Sandy Belt in 1968, and they had two daughters, Marcella (Marci) Lorraine and Ginger Renee'.

Gary worked for Belt Salvage for 26 years. Gary loved to spend time with his family and friends. He was actively involved in softball; both playing and coaching, yard selling, and weekly visits to the sale barn as well as shooting pool. Gary was also always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need.

Gary is survived by his companion, Nora Bozeman; his daughters, Marci (Morgan) Clark of Aztec, N.M., and Ginger (Steven) Freeman of Cortez; grandchildren, Dillon Clark, Shelby Clark, Dayton Davies, Alison Freeman, Tyler Barnett, Toni Freeman, and Tasha Freeman; and one great-grandchild, Kelsie-Ann Montoya. He is also survived by his sisters, Carolyn Lard, and Judy Johnson; and one stepbrother, Leroy Tucker; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by his father, Fred Crouse; his mother, Colleen Crouse; and his stepmother, Myrtle Crouse.

In lieu of flowers, please contact the family to learn about donating to an account set up in Gary's name. These donations will go towards the multiple organizations that helped during this difficult time.

Services are under the direction of Ertel Funeral Home. For further information or to send condolences, log on to www.ertelfuneralhome.com and click on the obituary section.