Walter H. Crouse

Walter Henry Crouse, age 97, of Grants Pass, died August 16, 2019 at Asante Three Rivers Medical Center.

Walt was born June 16, 1922 in Montana to Walter & Lucille (McRoberts) Crouse. As an infant he lived in Montana until the age of one when his family moved to Powers Oregon. At three years of age his family settled in Grants Pass. After growing up in Grants Pass, he attended Oregon State College (now Oregon State University) where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Dairy Husbandry on June 7, 1948. During World War II Walt served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Sea Owl submarine. He was awarded the Bronze Star. On December 28, 1946, in Staten Island, Walt married Marion Louise Widmayer. Together they built up the family farm in Grants Pass.

Walt had a strong work ethic which he passed on to his children. Family was very important to him and throughout the years as his children were growing, he always made time for family. There was snow skiing in the winter, water skiing in the summer, and Sunday evening picnics down at the river on the family farm.

For many years Walt was a 4-H leader and served on the board of directors for Mayflower and Darigold.

Walt & Marion enjoyed traveling and crossed the United States in their motor home many times. Since 1989 they were snow birds in Mesa, Arizona enjoying winters there. Walt led an active life of tennis, hiking, water and snow skiing, and river rafting.

Survivors include his four children Dick Crouse, Bob Crouse, Chery Flegel and Marie Minard; sister Doris Carlton; nine grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Marion Crouse on October 25, 2000 and his son Kenneth Crouse on December 30, 2006.

A memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m., August 26, 2019 at Newman United Methodist Church in Grants Pass. Private interment will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park.