Leslie Stuart Cruthirds, age 94 of Kerrville, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, March 10, 2014. He was born March 8, 1920 in Beaumont, Texas to Hugh Alexander Cruthirds and Fannie Mae (Blasek) Cruthirds. On July 3, 1942, he married his beloved wife, Mildred Marie Barge in Temple. She preceded him in death on February 8, 2009. Also preceding him in death, his first born son and namesake, Leslie Stuart Cruthirds, Jr., and brother, Raymond Cruthirds.
Les volunteered September 19, 1939 at the young age of 19 for the Army Air Corps, training at Randolph Field, San Antonio and was one of few enlisted men to become an officer. He rose quickly through the ranks to become a Lt. Col. and was awarded many medals and various ribbons for courage and skill. As a Captain, he served from June, 1943, to October, 1944 in the European Theater where he participated in thirty combat missions as pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress "Murder, Inc." over Germany, France, Norway, Holland, Belgium and Sweden. Before every takeoff, he would recite the 91st Psalm. During his 26 year career in the US Air Force, he fought in WW II and the Korean War, and in Vietnam training Vietnamese pilots to fly. The family moved around to many US bases where Les was a flight instructor. He retired to Kerrville in 1965 and was a pilot for Kerrville Flying Service and a private pilot.
His strong faith was a solid foundation for his life and he lived it in deed. Neighbors said he and Mildred were the greatest friends and neighbors anyone could have. They truly lived God's commandment to "love your neighbor," from Mildred's prayers to Les' garden. He took time to be a friend to many local waitresses and grocery checkers.
Les loved his family. He was a real teaser, always ready with a new joke and had a wry wit that has passed down to several of his children and grandchildren. Upon hearing of his passing, they asserted that "PawPaw" had probably already set up his first tee time in heaven. He was a generous and faithful father and will be greatly missed by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by daughters, Cyndi Allen and husband Bruce, of Kerrville, Candy Skinner and husband, Henry of Austin, Marsha Michelson of San Antonio, Debbie Clark and husband, Danny of New Braunfels; sons, Richard Cruthirds of Kerrville and Stephen Cruthirds and wife, Erin of Redmond, Oregon; and daughter-in-law, Patty Cruthirds of San Antonio; 14 grandchildren, Court Allen, Daron Allen, Eric Allen, Elise Hatch, Michaella Wells, Bracy Skinner, Matt Michelson, Blake Michelson, Ryan Cruthirds, Cody Cruthirds, Drew Cruthirds, Rachael Cruthirds, Madilyne Clark, and Zachary Clark; 23 great-grandchildren; brother, Gayle Cruthirds and sister, Dorothy Farley both of Lufkin, and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Sunday, March 16, 2014, 5-7 PM at Grimes Funeral Chapels. Burial with full military honors will be held privately at Ft. Sam Houston.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Christian Men's Job Corps of Kerr County, 301 Junction Hwy. Suite 333A, Kerrville, TX 78028 or call 257-3545.
Les volunteered September 19, 1939 at the young age of 19 for the Army Air Corps, training at Randolph Field, San Antonio and was one of few enlisted men to become an officer. He rose quickly through the ranks to become a Lt. Col. and was awarded many medals and various ribbons for courage and skill. As a Captain, he served from June, 1943, to October, 1944 in the European Theater where he participated in thirty combat missions as pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress "Murder, Inc." over Germany, France, Norway, Holland, Belgium and Sweden. Before every takeoff, he would recite the 91st Psalm. During his 26 year career in the US Air Force, he fought in WW II and the Korean War, and in Vietnam training Vietnamese pilots to fly. The family moved around to many US bases where Les was a flight instructor. He retired to Kerrville in 1965 and was a pilot for Kerrville Flying Service and a private pilot.
His strong faith was a solid foundation for his life and he lived it in deed. Neighbors said he and Mildred were the greatest friends and neighbors anyone could have. They truly lived God's commandment to "love your neighbor," from Mildred's prayers to Les' garden. He took time to be a friend to many local waitresses and grocery checkers.
Les loved his family. He was a real teaser, always ready with a new joke and had a wry wit that has passed down to several of his children and grandchildren. Upon hearing of his passing, they asserted that "PawPaw" had probably already set up his first tee time in heaven. He was a generous and faithful father and will be greatly missed by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by daughters, Cyndi Allen and husband Bruce, of Kerrville, Candy Skinner and husband, Henry of Austin, Marsha Michelson of San Antonio, Debbie Clark and husband, Danny of New Braunfels; sons, Richard Cruthirds of Kerrville and Stephen Cruthirds and wife, Erin of Redmond, Oregon; and daughter-in-law, Patty Cruthirds of San Antonio; 14 grandchildren, Court Allen, Daron Allen, Eric Allen, Elise Hatch, Michaella Wells, Bracy Skinner, Matt Michelson, Blake Michelson, Ryan Cruthirds, Cody Cruthirds, Drew Cruthirds, Rachael Cruthirds, Madilyne Clark, and Zachary Clark; 23 great-grandchildren; brother, Gayle Cruthirds and sister, Dorothy Farley both of Lufkin, and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Sunday, March 16, 2014, 5-7 PM at Grimes Funeral Chapels. Burial with full military honors will be held privately at Ft. Sam Houston.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Christian Men's Job Corps of Kerr County, 301 Junction Hwy. Suite 333A, Kerrville, TX 78028 or call 257-3545.
Leslie Stuart Cruthirds, age 94 of Kerrville, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, March 10, 2014. He was born March 8, 1920 in Beaumont, Texas to Hugh Alexander Cruthirds and Fannie Mae (Blasek) Cruthirds. On July 3, 1942, he married his beloved wife, Mildred Marie Barge in Temple. She preceded him in death on February 8, 2009. Also preceding him in death, his first born son and namesake, Leslie Stuart Cruthirds, Jr., and brother, Raymond Cruthirds.
Les volunteered September 19, 1939 at the young age of 19 for the Army Air Corps, training at Randolph Field, San Antonio and was one of few enlisted men to become an officer. He rose quickly through the ranks to become a Lt. Col. and was awarded many medals and various ribbons for courage and skill. As a Captain, he served from June, 1943, to October, 1944 in the European Theater where he participated in thirty combat missions as pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress "Murder, Inc." over Germany, France, Norway, Holland, Belgium and Sweden. Before every takeoff, he would recite the 91st Psalm. During his 26 year career in the US Air Force, he fought in WW II and the Korean War, and in Vietnam training Vietnamese pilots to fly. The family moved around to many US bases where Les was a flight instructor. He retired to Kerrville in 1965 and was a pilot for Kerrville Flying Service and a private pilot.
His strong faith was a solid foundation for his life and he lived it in deed. Neighbors said he and Mildred were the greatest friends and neighbors anyone could have. They truly lived God's commandment to "love your neighbor," from Mildred's prayers to Les' garden. He took time to be a friend to many local waitresses and grocery checkers.
Les loved his family. He was a real teaser, always ready with a new joke and had a wry wit that has passed down to several of his children and grandchildren. Upon hearing of his passing, they asserted that "PawPaw" had probably already set up his first tee time in heaven. He was a generous and faithful father and will be greatly missed by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by daughters, Cyndi Allen and husband Bruce, of Kerrville, Candy Skinner and husband, Henry of Austin, Marsha Michelson of San Antonio, Debbie Clark and husband, Danny of New Braunfels; sons, Richard Cruthirds of Kerrville and Stephen Cruthirds and wife, Erin of Redmond, Oregon; and daughter-in-law, Patty Cruthirds of San Antonio; 14 grandchildren, Court Allen, Daron Allen, Eric Allen, Elise Hatch, Michaella Wells, Bracy Skinner, Matt Michelson, Blake Michelson, Ryan Cruthirds, Cody Cruthirds, Drew Cruthirds, Rachael Cruthirds, Madilyne Clark, and Zachary Clark; 23 great-grandchildren; brother, Gayle Cruthirds and sister, Dorothy Farley both of Lufkin, and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Sunday, March 16, 2014, 5-7 PM at Grimes Funeral Chapels. Burial with full military honors will be held privately at Ft. Sam Houston.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Christian Men's Job Corps of Kerr County, 301 Junction Hwy. Suite 333A, Kerrville, TX 78028 or call 257-3545.
Les volunteered September 19, 1939 at the young age of 19 for the Army Air Corps, training at Randolph Field, San Antonio and was one of few enlisted men to become an officer. He rose quickly through the ranks to become a Lt. Col. and was awarded many medals and various ribbons for courage and skill. As a Captain, he served from June, 1943, to October, 1944 in the European Theater where he participated in thirty combat missions as pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress "Murder, Inc." over Germany, France, Norway, Holland, Belgium and Sweden. Before every takeoff, he would recite the 91st Psalm. During his 26 year career in the US Air Force, he fought in WW II and the Korean War, and in Vietnam training Vietnamese pilots to fly. The family moved around to many US bases where Les was a flight instructor. He retired to Kerrville in 1965 and was a pilot for Kerrville Flying Service and a private pilot.
His strong faith was a solid foundation for his life and he lived it in deed. Neighbors said he and Mildred were the greatest friends and neighbors anyone could have. They truly lived God's commandment to "love your neighbor," from Mildred's prayers to Les' garden. He took time to be a friend to many local waitresses and grocery checkers.
Les loved his family. He was a real teaser, always ready with a new joke and had a wry wit that has passed down to several of his children and grandchildren. Upon hearing of his passing, they asserted that "PawPaw" had probably already set up his first tee time in heaven. He was a generous and faithful father and will be greatly missed by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by daughters, Cyndi Allen and husband Bruce, of Kerrville, Candy Skinner and husband, Henry of Austin, Marsha Michelson of San Antonio, Debbie Clark and husband, Danny of New Braunfels; sons, Richard Cruthirds of Kerrville and Stephen Cruthirds and wife, Erin of Redmond, Oregon; and daughter-in-law, Patty Cruthirds of San Antonio; 14 grandchildren, Court Allen, Daron Allen, Eric Allen, Elise Hatch, Michaella Wells, Bracy Skinner, Matt Michelson, Blake Michelson, Ryan Cruthirds, Cody Cruthirds, Drew Cruthirds, Rachael Cruthirds, Madilyne Clark, and Zachary Clark; 23 great-grandchildren; brother, Gayle Cruthirds and sister, Dorothy Farley both of Lufkin, and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Sunday, March 16, 2014, 5-7 PM at Grimes Funeral Chapels. Burial with full military honors will be held privately at Ft. Sam Houston.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Christian Men's Job Corps of Kerr County, 301 Junction Hwy. Suite 333A, Kerrville, TX 78028 or call 257-3545.
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He Loved Family
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LT COL US Air Force, World War II, Korea, Vietnam
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