Gary L.E. Cruzan

TAYLORSVILLE - Lt. Gary Lee Edward Cruzan, U.S. Navy retired, 67, of the Bethlehem community, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday evening, July 20, 2010. He was born in Jacksonville, Ill., Oct. 25, 1942, to the late Edward Merrill Cruzan of Jacksonville, Ill., and Margaret Cruzan Meyer of Hickory. Gary was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church, where he served the Lord as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, usher, personnel committee and member of the pastoral search committee. Mr. Cruzan was retired from the United States Navy, following 20 years service as a nuclear power submariner. He achieved the rank of lieutenant. His civilian career spanned 23 years with Duke Power in Charlotte as a nuclear engineer. In addition to his father, who also retired as a naval hospital corpsman, he was preceded in death by one brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Fred and Ann Brackett. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Sharon Brackett Cruzan, as well as three loving and adoring children, Sherry and husband, Ashley Rhoney, of Lafayette, La., Senior Chief Cindy Cruzan of Washington, D.C., and one son, Garrett Edward Cruzan and wife, Debbie, of Talladega. Ala. He was also blessed with two grandchildren, Kaylan Marie and Chase Rhoney of Lafayette, La. He has one sister, Mary Dufour and husband, Fred, of Indiana. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Delene, and husband, Robert Bills, of Ballston Spa, N.Y. and Colleen and John Barron of Birmingham, N.Y; brothers-in-law, Lynn Brackett and wife, Linda, Ronald Brackett and wife, Polly, and John Brackett and wife, Bernadette, all of Connecticut; nieces and nephews, Terry and Daniel Dufour of Texas and Fred Dufour and wife, Molly, of Texas; great-nephews and nieces, Henry and Emily Dufour of Indiana and David Dufour of Texas. He has several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews, Rick and Ronnie Cruzan of Jacksonville, Ill., and Jeannine of Illinois; as well as a cousin, Gary Joe Cruzan of New Jersey. There is a very special family friend, Hannah Fox Hefner. Mr. Cruzan was a member of the Bethlehem Ruritan Club for 25 years, where he served as president, vice president and secretary. Visitation will be held Saturday, July 24, 2010, at Bethlehem Baptist Church from noon until 1:45 p.m. Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. at the church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery, with full military honors by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard. The ship's bell will be tolled by the submarine veterans of Charlotte. Pallbearers will be Brent Fox, Chase Rhoney and members of the Bethlehem Ruritan Club. Pastors, Kenneth Little, Kenneth Lambert and Chris Meade will officiate. Brian Johnson will offer the graveside prayer. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka Kan., 66675-8516. Condolences may be sent to www.alexfuneralservice.com. Alexander Funeral and Cremation Service in Taylorsville is serving the Cruzan family.