Thomas Crouch, Jr.

Thomas "Tom" Alexander Crouch, Jr., 103, passed away Friday January 4, 2008 after a brief illness less than 3 weeks shy of his 104th birthday.  He was born January 23, 1904 in Spaulding Co., GA, son of the late Mary Lou Clark and Thomas A. Crouch, Sr.  He was a 1928 graduate of the University of Georgia in Civil engineering.  Tom worked for the State of Georgia for the Highway Department, now Department of Transportation for 37 years retiring in 1967.  He retired June 30th from the state and went to work for DeKalb County July 5th in their Roads and Drainage Department for 18 months.  Tom enjoyed repairing clocks at Denny?s Clock shop and woodworking in his retirement. He was a member of Oak Grove United Methodist Church.  Tom was preceded in death by his wife of 38 years Helen Wilson Crouch, his 2nd wife of 10 years Blanche Fincher Crouch; his grandson John Samuel Faulkner, Jr.; his parents and his 6 siblings.  He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Beth and Phil Benefield of Decatur, and Mary Alice and Joe Wood of Oak Ridge, TN; his three grandchildren and their spouses, Thomas and Anna Benefield of Decatur, Lt. Col. Phillip and Kim Benefield of Honolulu, Hawaii and Drs. Lee Anne and Richard O?Brien of Brentwood, TN.  He was so proud of them and his eight great grandchildren, Ramona and Corinne Benefield of Decatur, Mary, Rebecca, and Katherine Benefield of Honolulu, and Thomas, Jonathan, and Peter O?Brien of Brentwood. Also surviving are his sisters-in-law, June Crouch of Huntsville, AL and Eugenia Wilson of Lyons, GA. and several nieces and nephews.  The body will be cremated.  Memorial services will be held Saturday January 12, 2008 at 2pm at Oak Grove United Methodist Church. Dr. H. Dan Rice officiating.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Oak Grove United Methodist Church, 1722 Oak Grove Rd., Decatur, GA  30033-1299 or to a charity of your choice.  The family will receive friends in the church parlor after the service on Saturday.  A. S. Turner & Sons