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Harry M. Crouse Helotes, TX QCWA # 06951 |
With an abundance of love and support, at the blessed age of 98, Harry Milton Crouse was welcomed into eternal life with his Lord on September 24, 2022.
Born February 19, 1924 in Kaw City, OK, he was a son of the late Harvey Waldo Crouse and Emma Arabelle (Johnston) Crouse.
The family, including younger brother, William Harvey, lived in Washunga, OK until Emma passed away when Harry was four years old.
Harry and his brother then lived with their grandfather and grandmother, Henry Milton and Leta Goss Johnston, for five years. Following his father's marriage to Dora Auld, the family then moved to Webb City, OK.
In 1941, Harry obtained an amateur radio license - call sign W5KCR. He listened to an amateur radio station at Pearl Harbor describe what was taking place on December 7, 1941, before it reached news wires.
Enticed by ads in the ham radio magazine, QST, describing career opportunities in communications, upon graduation from Webb City High School in 1942, Harry went to work for the Civil Aeronautics Administration as an Aircraft Communicator at locations in New Mexico and Texas.
In 1944, he went on military leave and was stationed in German during and after WWII. He was awarded the EAME ribbon with one battle star, and medals for Good Conduct, Army of Occupation, and Victory World War II. He was able to sit in on some of the Nuremburg Trials.
Upon discharge from the U.S. Army he returned to the CAA/FAA in Communications, Air Traffic Control Center, and Tower and Aeronautical Center. He remained with the FAA until his retirement in 1979.
Harry and his family called San Antonio and the Helotes area their home since 1946. Harry eagerly took on various leadership responsibilities within Helotes city council, Los Angeles Heights Presbyterian Church, and volunteered with the John Marshall FFA Booster Club. He was a charter member of the Alamo DX Amigos radio club and the San Antonio chapter of The Quarter Century Wireless Association.
Harry was always interested in weather and carefully monitored weather changes. You could always count on him to alert neighbors of any approaching storms. Keep in mind this was years before smart phones and the Internet. For many years he diligently provided the daily temperature and rainfall rates for Helotes, TX to the National Weather Service.
His loving wife of 62 years, Julia Ann (Turpin), entered eternal rest on December 26, 2005. He is survived by their daughter, Sherrie B. Jones and her husband Dan; grandchildren, Jackson Jones and Alexandria Pharos; cousin, Madeline Younglove and niece Dianne Nicholson.
Harry was proud of his government service and respected the many people he worked with. Donations to the Helotes Humane Society are kindly accepted in lieu of flowers.