Larry William Crouse

Larry was born December 2, 1947, in Bishop, California, and passed away at his home on September 3, 2021, in Valley Center, Kansas, at the age of 73. After several years of various health issues, he lost his final battle with lung cancer. At a young age, he moved with his parents, Allen and Norma Crouse, to North Platte, Nebraska, then to Denver, Colorado, where he received most of his elementary and high school education. In 1965, Larry moved with his family to Goodland, Kansas, where he attended his senior year and graduated from Goodland High School in 1966. During this time and throughout his entire life, Larry was an avid sportsman who loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing, and everything else that came along with enjoying God’s creation. It was in Goodland where his family’s involvement with horses gave Larry the opportunity to meet his future wife, Marion Pickett. While living in Goodland, Larry had his buckskin mare selected Grand Champion halter horse at a regional quarter horse show. Larry was a Viet Nam veteran, serving in the United States Army from October 1967 to October 1969. He served as a medic with 228th Medivac then moved to the 15th Medivac Unit in the 1st Calvary Combat Field Hospital treating and transporting injured soldiers to the 24th and 93rd Evac units in Long Bien. He also served as a medic flying with HQ 11th Group Pathfinders on night missions mapping the enemy’s movement using infrared equipment. This information was sent to the Philippines and Guam where it was analyzed and used to prepare maps for B-52 strikes. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces. His military medical service led to his employment as a surgical and emergency medical technician at the Northwest Kansas Regional Hospital in Goodland. Larry and Marion wed on May 15, 1970, and they were blessed with two daughters, Lori and Kari, who were both born in Goodland. The family moved to Wichita in 1974 and lived in Wichita, Park City and Valley Center after moving to Sedgwick County. Larry worked for Koch Engineering for most of his working career. After retirement he enjoyed spending time with his family and enjoying his passion for the outdoors. Larry had the ability to recall the details of every significant hunting and fishing trip in which he ever took part. He is survived by his wife Marion of the home, his daughter Lori of San Diego, California, daughter Kari (James) Haden of Andover, Kansas, three grandchildren and one great granddaughter. He is also survived by his mother Norma, brothers Victor and Richard, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Allen Crouse. The memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday September 8, at Downing and Lahey Mortuary East in Wichita, Kansas. Interment to be in the Kechi Township Cemetery, near Park City, Kansas, following the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in Larry’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project.

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