Dorothy Mae Crouch, 91, of Paducah, KY, passed away on August 27, 2015 at 9:36 a.m. at Baptist Health Paducah.
Dorothy was born on October 29, 1923 in Wallace County, Kansas. She grew up in Kansas and Colorado as an only child. She met James (Jim) Crouch in January 1943 in Denver, Colorado and married in March 1943 in Canon City, Colorado. She traveled with Jim to his military bases while he served in the United States Army Air Corps. Once Jim returned from being stationed in England during World War II, they lived in Mayfield, Kentucky, Canon City, Colorado, and finally settled in Paducah in 1950. They had three children Carolyn, Philip (Butch), and Marilyn. In 1963, they formed Crouch Campers & Trailers and continued with that business until they retired in 1975. Dorothy spent many years doing volunteer work with the schools her children attended. She enjoyed hours of making crafts which she loved to give as gifts to family and friends. Dorothy loved to camp and travel, exploring new places. Her adventures took her to many parts of the United States including Hawaii, as well as the foreign countries of Portugal, the Caribbean islands, Canada, Scotland, Germany and many trips back to England where Jim was stationed during the war. They spent many winters in Florida or Texas and many summer trips back to Colorado; her favorite place.
Dorothy and Jim helped support and form the NCHA chapter of the Kentucky Lake Campers and the local camping club of WBBCI, an international club for owners of airstream travel trailers. They both were very involved with the Concord Lions Club.
Dorothy was a life member and strong supporter of the 398th Bomb Group Memorial Association. She attended over 20 annual reunions of the group and was instrumental in encouraging her children to attend as well.
She is survived by two daughters, Carolyn Widmann and husband Glenn of Indianapolis, IN, Marilyn Gibb-Rice and husband Geoff of Beck Row, England; three granddaughters, Robin Sealey and husband Shane of Pace, FL, Heather Wyatt of Paducah, KY, Tracie Shook and husband Tim of Boaz, KY; two grandsons, Andrew Gibb and wife Amanda of Minneapolis, IN, Charles Gibb of Tacoma, WA; and four great granddaughters, Mason Herzog, Mikayla Burgess, Maddyn DuPerrieu and Piper Sealey.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer Isaac Pancake and Mary Anna Young; her husband, James C. Crouch; and son, Philip Terry (Butch) Crouch.
Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at the Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah. Burial will follow at the Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.
Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the service time of 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at the Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to: 398th Bomb Group Memorial Association, 16210 Breakwater Path Dr., Houston, TX, 77044.
You may leave a message, light a candle or share a song tribute at www.milnerandorr.com.
