Leon Cruse

Mr. Leon Cruse, of Pocahontas, Tennessee, passed away Monday morning, August 8, 2016 at the Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. He was 90 years, 4 months and 1 day old.

Funeral services for Mr. Leon Cruse will be held Wednesday, August 9, 2016, at 3:00 PM at Shackelford Funeral Directors of Middleton. Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM before the service.

Mr. Cruse was born Wednesday, April 7, 1926 in Memphis, the son of the late Woodrow and Carlie Smith Cruse. The family moved from Memphis to Pocahontas when he was just a boy, and he lived the rest of his life there. On Sunday, September 24, 1950, he married Helen Wilbanks, who survives. He worked in the construction business and was still consulting on construction projects until just a few days before his passing.

He served his country in World War II where he served under General Geo. S. Patton. Mr. Cruse received 3 bronze stars during his time in the US Army. He was a member of New Hope Baptist Church near Pocahontas. In his leisure time he enjoyed traveling, collecting, "bargain hunting" and spending time with friends at the "Roundtable" at Pocahontas' coffee shop.

He leaves his wife, Helen Cruse of Pocahontas; three daughters, Sherry (Elton) Bodiford of Ramer, Dianna (Jim) Bennett of Tuscaloosa, Alabama and Kristi (Ricky) Cruse of Pocahontas; a son, Kem (Sharon) Cruse of Pocahontas; a sister, Louise (Jerry) Wilbanks of Guys, TN; three brothers, Bill (Bobbie) Cruse of Pocahontas, Buster Cruse of Hammond, Indiana, and Jamie (Pat) Cruse of Moscow, Tennessee; a sister-in-law, Juanita Cruse of Pocahontas; 9 grandchildren, Shawn, Shannon, Rebecca, Rachael, Jeremiah, Sara, Brittany, Kyle and Abby; 18 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Mike Cruse; two brothers, Leslie and Buddy Cruse; and a grandson, Michael Cruse.

Memorials may be sent to the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate).