Roger Hugh

Crutchfield

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IN LOVING MEMORY

Roger Hugh Crutchfield

Jul 03 1930 - Apr 17 2018

Roger Hugh Crutchfield of Plano, Texas passed away on April 17, 2018 at the age of 87.  He was born on July 3, 1930 to William Richardson and Myra Mattie (Myers) Crutchfield in Patmos, Arkansas.

Roger was a late life baby for William and Myra; as he was born into a house full of older children, a reserved mother, and a “no account” father. His father died young, leaving Roger’s older siblings to fill much of the parental gap. This left Roger strongly attached to his older siblings and eager to follow them out into the world.

Myra Crutchfield helped fulfill young Roger’s wish to grow up fast by signing papers giving him permission to join the military before he could even vote. Two days after he turned 17, Roger waved goodbye to small town Texas life and went off to see the world courtesy of the US Army. He went away to boot camp where he gained 15 pounds in 6 weeks because it was the first time in his young life he could eat as much bread, butter, and jelly as he wanted.

Roger spent most of his two tours in the Army in Germany. He learned to speak German by chatting up the locals, rode around in a motorcycle with a side car, and fell in love with photography. He also fell for a young German girl, a relationship that resulted in the birth of Roger’s eldest son, Roger Vogel. When it came time to muster out of the army and return to the states however, this relationship did not last. Roger Vogel remained in Germany with his mother where he grew into a fine man that Roger was proud to call son.

Upon returning to the US, Roger was stationed in San Francisco for a while.  It was there he met and married Eleanore Elaine Shepherd on May 15, 1954 after a whirlwind 13 week romance. Elly supported their young family by working as a nurse while Roger — always an eager student — quickly earned an undergraduate degree at North Texas, a Masters from Syracuse University, and two years of law school education. Roger finally settled into a career in computer science, rising from programmer to systems specialist.

Roger and Elly had a full and adventurous life together. They raised four children while moving around the United States to wherever the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, a part of the US Department of Justice, needed Roger’s skills. Just as the “last chick left the nest” for college however, Roger and Elly’s life really took flight. They spent the next decade living outside the US and traveling to destinations around the world. Roger was even able to return to his beloved Germany and spend part of his golden years once again drinking beer, touring German villages, and taking pictures. (This time he skipped the motorcycle and sidecar though.)

Since retiring and moving back to Texas, Roger never did sit still but continued to keep busy. When he wasn’t working at Best Buy telling customers about the latest HP printer, he was teaching classes at the Plano Senior Center. He loved sharing his knowledge of computers and digital photography with anyone who showed an interest.

Roger was a bright, loving, intelligent, and engaging man who adored people. He never met a stranger. He devoured books like most of us eat potato chips. He was a caretaker who fiercely watched over his wife and children until illness got frustratingly in his way. His smile and bright blue, crinkly eyes could light up a room. They would certainly light up your heart. The world is a dimmer place without him in it.

Roger is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Eleanore Crutchfield of Plano, Texas; children, Robert Crutchfield and wife, Nancy of Plano, Texas, Anne Gunther and husband, Eric of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, Roger Vogel and wife, Heidi of Nuremberg, Germany, Julia DeCredico and husband, David of Alpharetta, Georgia;  daughter-in-law, Kyra Crutchfield of The Colony, Texas; grandchildren, Sarah Craig, Grant Gunther, Chris Crutchfield and wife, Carrie, Chuck Crutchfield Cassandra Crutchfield, Katrin Habenschaden, Joseph DeCredico, Davis DeCredico, Claudia DeCredico and Gerard Vogel; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and other loving relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Bruce Crutchfield; his sisters, Flossie Gorsline and Rachel DeHut; and his brothers, Clyde Crutchfield, Lawrence Crutchfield and Vernon Crutchfield.

Roger was a member of Christ Church in Plano, Texas. Please join the extended Crutchfield family for a celebration of Roger/Dad/Opa’s life at Christ Church on Monday, April 23, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. The church is located at 4550 Legacy Drive in Plano, Texas. The service will be followed by a brief reception with light snacks around 11:30 a.m.

Donations in Roger’s name can be made to the Plano Senior Center located at 401 W 16th Street, Plano TX 75075. This is where Roger taught classes, socialized, made cherished friends, borrowed paperback westerns and mysteries by the sack full, and generally had a great time. Contributions may be made by check to:

Plano Senior Recreation Center
P O Box 860358
Plano, TX  75086-0358

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