- Date Of Birth: July 26, 1935
- Date Of Death: February 19, 2019
- State: Georgia
John Emerson Crouse, 83, loving husband and father, award-winning architect, and rabid University of Michigan fan departed this life on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, surrounded by his family in the home he designed and built on Lake Oconee. Even as he was nearing the end of his journey, John’s dry sense of humor filled his home with laughter.
His love of family, quick wit, and heart for others made this world a better place. He committed his woodworking and architectural skills to the communities where he lived, both in Michigan and Georgia. Locally, he was involved in the inception of the Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club and quietly helped friends and neighbors.
In addition to volunteering his architectural and handyman expertise, John continued to design and build residences and commercial buildings throughout his life. Early in his career, he was honored with two Awards of Excellence by the American Institute of Architects for his residential designs. He served for years as President of both the Harbor Club Property Owners Association and the Wharf Villas Association. He designed the spectacular fountain at Harbor Club. Outside the architectural drafting table, John started a revolutionary chain of 10 minute oil changes in Atlanta and was the business brain behind ARTSENSE, the elementary school art program he and Corey created together.
In his spare time, John loved to golf with friends and family, and was always excited to find a new outlet for his carpentry and auto mechanic skills, cheer on his Michigan Wolverines, or enjoy a hot fudge sundae. Known locally as the Confederate Yankee, he was fascinated with Civil War history and co-captained the 14th Georgia Light Artillery Battalion, having a blast with their twelve pound howitzer canon. It was with this group that he had his big Hollywood moment as a featured reenactor in the movie, Sweet Home Alabama.
Family always came first for John. He married Corey on August 9, 1979 and took on her two children. The family made treasured memories at his cottage on Lake Michigan and Walden Woods Resort in Hartland, Michigan. There, he enjoyed time with his large family at the annual Crouse Family Reunion.
He leaves behind his wife, Corey, daughters Cindy Wade, Lisa Reed, Kelley Buttrick (Brian) and son Robert Carruthers (Kelley), grandchildren Mikayla Garrett, Joe Vellanti (Nicole), Alex Wade, Colby and Cameron Buttrick, Holden and Cooper Carruthers, and four great grandchildren.
