Fredrich J. Cruse

Fredrich "Fred" James Cruse, age 78, of Hannibal, MO passed away at 7:43 am Sunday, September 14, 2025, at his home.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 am Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints, 9 Centerville Rd. Hannibal, MO 63401. Dan Cooke will be officiating. Burial with full military honors provided by the Emmette J. Shields American Legion Post 55 in the Grand View Burial Park.

Visitation celebrating Fred's life will be held 5:00 to 8:00 pm Monday, September 29, 2025, at the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel.

Fred was born Sept 7, 1947 in Marysville CA, the son of Monta Parish and Jennie Ruth (Cudworth) Cruse, where he lived until his pre-teen years when the family homesteaded near Fairbanks Alaska. Fred remembered playing little league baseball in Nenana, his father working at Eielson AFB, and going to Boy Scout camp nearby.

In his early teens, he, his mom and brother moved to Liberty MO, where Fred graduated from high school and, later, William Jewell College with a degree in mathematics. While at William Jewell he met Nancy Kress. They married on Dec 30, 1967. They welcomed their son, Jason, to their family in July 1969.

Post college, Fred worked for the Burlington Northern railroad and Hallmark cards before entering law school "as a joke." Of the four friends who took the entrance exam together, only three passed, only two enrolled, and only one graduated-Fred.

Fred joined the Marine Corps and the family was stationed at Quantico VA where they lived for three years, spending weekends exploring the eastern seaboard.

Fred was admitted to the Missouri Bar in 1974, the Illinois Bar in 1982, and the Utah Bar in 1987. He is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. District Courts in Missouri, Illinois, and Utah, as well as the U.S. Court of Military Appeals. Fredrich Cruse served eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps and is proud to be a recipient of the Missouri Bar Solo and Small Firm Committee Distinguished Service award. He is also the recipient of Senior Counselor status from the Missouri Bar and was one of the first attorneys to successfully complete a Chapter 12 bankruptcy case in Missouri. He had offices in Hannibal and Quincy, and practiced throughout both states.

Fred began his scouting career in Fairbanks, Alaska, in the Midnight Sun Council, where he progressed to the rank of First Class. Fred often spoke fondly of his memories at Lost Island camp, both for summer camp and a klondike derby, where, as he liked to say, "the temperature dropped to -60 and we only had 2 injuries in the whole camp."

Fred earned his Eagle in Liberty Missouri. Fred's brother, Robert, also earned his Eagle, as did Fred's son, grandsons and grandson-in-law. The family maintains the original Eagle badge Fred earned.

As an adult, Fred was active in all levels of scouting. He was a scoutmaster for many years of Troop 147, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Hannibal. He attended Philmont Scout Ranch 8 times, 5 as a backcountry participant and 3 at Philmont Training Center. Fred participated in numerous National Jamborees at Ft A.P. Hill, as a troop leader and as a commissary staff member, and in the World Jamboree in 1983 in Canada.

Fred served on the Mark Twain District Committee for many years, including stints as district commissioner, district chairman, and Order of the Arrow chapter adviser. Fred was active in the Order of the Arrow, receiving his Vigil Honor in 1984. Fred served on the Great Rivers Council Board, including council attorney. Fred also served as course director for 2 Wood Badge courses and on several regional camp inspection teams. He is the recipient of numerous training awards, the District Award of Merit, the Silver Beaver and the James E West Fellowship.

Fred was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in a variety of roles. The LDS Church has no paid clergy. During his life, Fred served in a variety of teaching roles, young men's president, branch president, bishop, and high councilor, among other callings. His service in the LDS Temple in St Louis, MO and later Nauvoo, IL were among his favorite church activities.

Fred had also been a member of the Early Bird Kiwanis in Hannibal, American Legion Post #55 Emmett J Shields, and Business Builders in Hannibal.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Monta Parish and Jennie Ruth (Cudworth) Cruse. He is survived by his brother Bob (and Vernelle) Massey, wife Nancy, his son Jason, his grandchildren Jonathan (and Jojo) Cruse, Rachel (and Joseph) Vaupel and great-granddaughter Roxanne, Thomas Cruse and James Cruse, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Jonathan Cruse, Specialist U.S. Army, Thomas Cruse, Staff Sergeant Utah National Guard, John Hark, Scott Hampton, Joseph Vaupel, and Leighton Jones.

Honorary pallbearers will be James Cruse, Robert Massey, Ed Karfeld, John Massey, Bob Massey, Louis Smith, Kendall Morgan and Tony Mcumber.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Great Rivers Council Scouting America or American Legion Post #55 Emmett J Shields.

Online condolences may be made to the family and video tribute viewed on Fred's memorial page at www.smithfuneralhomeandchapel.com