Taylor Funeral Home

Obituaries
Wendell Ray Crouch, Sr.
Date of Death or Service Apr 11, 2017
Wendell Ray Crouch, Sr.
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     Funeral services will be conducted Friday afternoon, April 14, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. from the Walnut Street Church of Christ. Bro. Steve Walker will officiate.Visitation will be Thursday afternoon and evening at Taylor Funeral Home from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and will continue at the church on Friday beginning at 11:00 a.m. until time of service. Place of rest will be in the Bluff View Memorial Gardens in Kingston Spring, TN.
    Those desiring memorials may be made to any local Boy Scout Troop of your choice.

     Ray Crouch Sr., is a life long resident of Kingston Springs, Tennessee. He is the son of Marvin Wendell Crouch and the late Dorothy Dillingham  Crouch. He is the proud father of Ray Crouch, Jr. (Jessica Crouch) and Sherrie Crouch Collins (Brooks Collins). he is the extremely proud grandfather to Judson, Lila and Georgia Collins, Marvin and Lucy Crouch. Brother to Robert "Bob" Crouch (Martha), and uncle to Robert "Robby" Crouch (Rachel).
Ray graduated from David Lipscomb High School and Austin Peay State University. Ray is a lifelong public servant. His career in public service began with the State of Tennessee working as a systems analyst for the Department of Transportation. His love of the fire service prompted his transfer to the Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office. Ray was then appointed by the Governor to serve as the Assistant Commissioner for the Department of Commerce and Insurance. Ray served under both a democrat and republican governor. Ray was proud to serve under both a democrat and republican governor. He believed that people with opposing political ideas can and should work together.
     Ray also served 19 years with the University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service where he worked with and advised fire departments and municipalities throughout Tennessee. Ray developed many lifelong friendships and relationships with firemen across the state. Ray loved visiting and working with the rural fire departments and the larger municipalities as well. There wasn't a fire hall, fire truck (engine or pumper) that Ray didn't want to see.
     Ray was a volunteer fireman for the Kingston Springs Volunteer Fire Department. He served as a fireman along with his father Marvin Crouch and brother Bob Crouch. Ray served as Fire Chief for ten years during which time the town of Kingston Springs received an ISO rating of 5, the first volunteer fire department in the history of Tennessee to achieve this score. In 1988, after 20 years of volunteer service, Ray was named the National Volunteer Fireman of the Year. Ray was the first Tennessean to win the award. Upon winning the award, Ray was quoted in the national media: " Public relations is a must for Fire Departments, the people must think of the fire department as an integral part of the community."
     Ray reorganized Boy Scout Troop 594 in Kingston Springs. The troop was absent from the community for nearly 20 years before Ray committed to the rebuilding. In his 10 year term as Scoutmaster, he guided and advised many young men. Ray's passion for the fire service was matched by Scouting. Ray believed that Scouting was and is the perfect program to teach young men how to succeed and become leaders within our communities. Ray believed in and applied the laws of scouting to his own life. " A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent." Ray was each of these. As a scoutmaster, Ray led by example. He promoted service above self. He taught young men not how to get a living, but how to live.
     As a scouter, Ray was reverent. As a Christian, Ray was devoted to God and devoted to living a faithful life. Ray was member of the Walnut Street Church of Christ. He loved to study The Bible and biblical history. In his early adult life Ray served several congregations as a substitute preacher. Ray loved to teach bible class but he also loved to learn. Ray never stopped attempting to learn and understand our Lord's teachings. Ray lived to serve God first. His life reflected the fundamental virtues of grace, compassion, love and forgiveness.
     Ray was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He unselfishly fought a chronic disease for two years. He fought death because he knew how much we loved him and how greatly he will be missed. Throughout his illness he never uttered a complaint or mention of pain. He found great happiness and strength when accompanied by his grand children, Judson, Lila, Georgia, Marvin and Lucy. Ray passed away at 6:44 a.m. on the morning of April 11, 2017 in the arms of his son and daughter.
   Casket bearers will be Brooks Collins, Brian Beasley, Josh Ethridge, Robby Crouch, Ray Crouch, Jr., Marvin Crouch, Judson Collins and Bob Crouch. Honorary will be current and former Kingston Springs Fire Department and current and former Boy Scout Troop 594.
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