Clarence Crouch

Clarence Crouch, Jr., 86, of Morganton, NC was called to his Heavenly Home on Saturday, May 19, 2012 while surrounded by his family. Born in Morganton, NC on June 1, 1925, he was the son of the late Clarence Crouch, Sr. and Pearl Hoover Bristol.Clarence was an active member of First United Methodist Church in which he helped organize the Aldersgate Adult Sunday School Class, Superintendant of Adult Classes, Ushered regularly, was Greeter, and served on multiple mission teams, fellowship groups, community projects, and an active Scout leader as Scout Master. He was President of several elementary PTA’s, a founding member and first treasurer of the Burke History Museum, held several offices in the Burke Historical Society, served as President of the Burke County Council on Alcoholism and was a Director of the Morganton Kiwanis Club. As lifelong member of Optimist International he served the local club with more than 40 years of perfect attendance, served in countless capacities on local and district levels including position of Governor.His work life consisted several sales positions with Tom’s and Curtis Candy Companies, personnel manager of Drexel Heritage Furnishings Table Rock Plant 6, and bookkeeper for Causby Buick Company.He won several awards for his active service with the North Carolina Optimist Boys and Girls Homes.Mr. Crouch is survived by his wife, Betty Jane Stephens Crouch of the home; children, Ronald Crouch and wife, Tia, of Greensboro, NC, Beverly Crouch Lyons and husband, David, of Winston-Salem, NC, and David Crouch and wife, Debbie, of Villages, FL; and grandchildren, Austin Crouch, Madison Houck, Bryan Triebert and wife, Lauren, Duncan Triebert, Aleigh Lyons, Nicholas Lyons, Isaac Crouch, Samuel Crouch, Jessie "Callie" Crouch, and Brandon Baker.In addition to his parents, Clarence was preceded in death by a grandson, Curtis Baker.The celebration of Clarence’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at First United Methodist Church with Reverends Don Shuman and Todd McCullough officiating. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall following the service.Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 200 N. King Street, Morganton, NC 28655, Boys and Girls Homes of NC, P.O. Box 127, Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450, or to South Mountain Children’s Home, 7330 Myrtle Drive, Nebo, NC 28761.Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.