Joseph John "Jay" Crouse

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Joseph John "Jay" Crouse, journalist/author, who left us peacefully, surrounded by loved ones at his home on April 5th, 2025, at the age of 100. He is preceded in death by his recently departed and dearly beloved wife of 70 years, Shirley Wray Crouse, A decorated WWII combat Veteran of the US Navy, Jay was a Navy Petty Officer First Class and served during the allied occupation of Okinawa and then again aboard the USS Wasp in Korea. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio on November 10th, 1924, Jay attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and graduated from the University of Missouri, school of journalism at Columbia University. An award winning career in journalism followed and spanned over two decades with stints at: Station KRFU in Columbia, Missouri; The Columbia Daily Newspaper in Columbia; the Cincinnati, Ohio Post Daily Newspaper and finally, WHAS FM-TV Broadcasting Station where he began as a reporter, then moved to first on-air news broadcaster and finally ascending to News Director at the station. Following his career in journalism, Jay held other prestigious professional positions to include but not limited to, Executive Director of the Louisville Bar Association, Executive Director of Louisville & Jefferson County Democratic Party, and Assistant Director and Senior Consultant for Urban Studies Center, University of Louisville. Jay was an avid golfer and charter member of Midland Trail Golf Club, where he had his first and only hole-in-one at the age of 89. He was an active member of multiple professional organizations related to Journalism, Radio and Television and a contributing author for Television Station management and various other professional Journals. Jay is survived by his daughters, Kyle Warcewicz of Louisville, Ky., Kim Halverson of Louisville, Ky., and his son Kevin Crouse of St Joe Beach, Fl.; four grandchildren; five great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to St Jude's or the Louisville Zoo as these were a couple of Jay's favorite charities.