John Sheppard Crute Jr.

1935 - 2023

John Sheppard Crute Jr.

June 10, 1935 - May 14, 2023

John S. Crute Jr. of Roanoke, Va., passed away while vacationing with family in Emerald Isle, N.C., on Sunday, May 14, 2023.

Born on June 10, 1935, in Buckingham County, he was a quiet, gentle and humble man who loved deeply – his God, his wife, his family, and his friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Sheppard Crute Sr. and Ruth Shepherd Crute; his sister, Page Crute Switzer; his brother-in-law, Gene Switzer; and a special cousin, Ann Spencer and her husband, Robert Spencer.

John is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Martha Donaldson Crute; his daughter, Susan Crute Denny and husband, David; son, John Sheppard Crute III and wife, Tina; stepsister, Gerry Siekirski and husband, Zenon; sister-in-law, Pat Donaldson Ferguson; granddaughters, Maggie Crute, Hope Denny, Kellie Riley and husband, Zach, and Jessie Graybill and husband, Evan, and great-granddaughter, Millie. He is also survived by grandsons, Gabriel Denny, and Chris Denny and wife, Josie, and great-granddaughter, Joanna, and Phillip Denny and wife, Jennie, and great-grandchildren, Judah and Annelise; nephews, Gary Switzer and wife, Debbie, and Mark Switzer, and Bruce Spencer and his wife, Ellen; and brother-in-law, Tom Middlecamp.

He was a faithful and devoted servant to his church, Christ Lutheran Church in Roanoke, Va. He also volunteered at R.A.M. House, Habitat for Humanity and Meals on Wheels. He was an avid surf fisherman and belonged to angler's clubs at Nags Head and Cape Hatteras in North Carolina.

John was a member of Hidden Valley Country Club and enjoyed his golf partners. He loved traveling, and he and Martha traveled around the world together. One of his great loves was beach vacations with his family and that is where he was when he passed.

John attended Hampden–Sydney College before serving in the United States Army in Korea. When he returned, he married Martha in 1957. Soon after, he returned to college at Virginia Tech, where he graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, in 1962. He worked for Norfolk Southern Railroad for thirty years and was Assistant Vice President-Motive Power, when he retired.

Above all, John loved his family and friends; he was devoted to all of them and was happiest when surrounded by all of them. John had a servant's heart and his life of service, love and generosity was both a blessing and an inspiration to his family and he will be sorely missed by all.

Visitation will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. on Tuesday May 23, 2023, at Oakey's South Chapel. A service to celebrate John's life will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday May 24, 2023, at Christ Lutheran Church, 2011 Brandon Ave., SW, Roanoke, VA 24015 with the Rev. David Skole and the Rev. Cynthia Keyser officiating. A reception will follow the service. Interment will follow in Evergreen Burial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made either to Christ Lutheran Church, 2011 Brandon Ave., SW, Roanoke VA 24015 or to Habitat for Humanity, in John's memory. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.Oakeys.com.

Arrangements by Oakey's Funeral Service- South Chapel, Roanoke, VA (540) 989-3131.