Thomas H. Crouch

AIKEN, SC – THOMAS H. CROUCH, 90, of Aiken, formerly of Atlanta, GA, died Sunday, December 02, 2007 at Aiken Regional Medical Centers. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 4, 2007 at 11:00 AM at Shellhouse – Rivers Funeral Home, 715 East Pine Log Rd., Aiken, SC. Interment, with Masonic Rites and Military Honors, will follow in Sunset Memory Gardens. The Reverend Dr. Rodney K. Powell of Trinity United Methodist Church will officiate. Pallbearers will be Robert Sanders, Jr., Chad Hilliard, Nick Hilliard, Jesse Cherry, Victor Wyszynsky and William Driver. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the Aiken Masonic Lodge # 156. Tom was born in Barnsville, GA on October 17, 1917. He was one of four children born to the late Burrell K. and Pauline Crouch. In addition to his parents, Tom was predeceased by his wife, Helen “Pat” Crouch, brother William Crouch and sister Lucille. He is survived by his son, William T. “Billy” Crouch of Aiken; sister, Lois Black, Melbourne, FL, brother-in-law Bob Sanders and his wife Brenda of Lawrenceville, GA; a cousin, Doris Ray, Palm Bay, FL; and a number of nieces and nephews. Tom began his military career in 1935 in the U. S. Army, serving three years in the Panama Canal Zone. After a short break, he was called to active duty for World War II, serving as an anti-aircraft-artillery (AAA) training officer. After the war, he continued to serve in the Georgia Army National Guard in Atlanta and then the U. S. Army Reserve in Aiken. Retiring with the rank of Captain. He came to Aiken in 1951 in the home construction business. In 1953 he built and operated the “Aiken Bowl”, which is still in operation, now run by his son Billy. Tom was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Aiken. He supported and was active in many civic and patriotic organizations, including Masonic Lodge # 156, Aiken, Aiken Shrine Club – Jamil Temple, American Legion Post 26, Aiken, the 40 & 8, Aiken Chapter, the179th F.A.B.N. Association, Atlanta and the Aiken Ambucs. Tom was an avid fisherman and bird hunter and freely shared his interests with family and friends. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM Monday at Shellhouse – Rivers Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Aiken Shrine Club, 1526 Columbia Hwy., Aiken, SC 29801. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Thomas H. Crouch, please visit our flower store.