J. T. Cruse

J. T. Cruse, 89, of Jena, passed from this life on Sunday, February 24, 2013, at his residence. He was born December 17, 1923 in Olla to the union of his parents, Andrew and Gladys Clark Cruse. Mr. Cruse owned and  operated Cruse Equipment for many years. Services were held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 28, in the chapel of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena with Rev. Willie Kendall Price officiating. Interment followed in the Chickasaw Cemetery, just east of Olla, under direction of Hixson Brothers, Inc. of Jena. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Doris Edwards Cruse; and two sisters, Dorothy Cruse Rasbury and Delcie Cruse Law. Survivors include one son, Tommy Cruse and wife Luanne of Atlanta, GA; two daughters, Marilyn Cockerham and husband Kenneth of Jonesboro, and Norma Craig and husband Allen of Belah; one brother, Jerry Cruse and wife Doris of Jena; eight grandchildren, Brad Cockerham and wife Samantha, Scott Cockerham and wife Cristy, Wendy Whitman and husband Gaylon, Travis Craig and wife Kamra, Courtney Wiley and husband Bill, Tyler Cruse and wife Stacey, Turner Luesing and Lauren Luesing; and ten great grandchildren. Pallbearers were Travis Craig, Tyler Cruse, Brad Cockerham, Scott Cockerham, Dillon Cockerham, and Kevin Windham.