Larry Wayne Crouch

Larry Wayne Crouch, age 82, of Oakley, California, went home to be with the Lord on May 21, 2025. A faithful preacher, devoted family man, and lifelong servant of God, Larry’s life was marked by his love for Jesus, his family, and the ministry to which he was called.

Born on August 30, 1942, in Tuolumne, California, Larry was the son of Elizabeth Ann Keeling and Charles Herschel Crouch, and son to Joseph Walker Sweeney. He dedicated his life to Christ at an early age, becoming a licensed minister in March 1958 and later ordained in November 1970.

Larry pursued theological education with great passion, earning a B.A. in Theology from California Missionary Baptist Institute (CMBI) in 1976, a Doctorate of Divinity from Fresno Missionary Baptist Institute (FMBI) in 1998, and a Th.D. from FMBI in 2005. He served the Lord faithfully as a writer for the American Baptist Association’s Sunday School curriculum for 37 years and began teaching at the seminary off and on since 1998.

Throughout his life, Larry pastored churches across California and Washington, with nearly four decades in the Bay Area, with congregations in San Jose, Martinez, and Oakley. After retiring from full-time pastoring in early 2017, he and his wife, Joyce, became faithful members of Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Concord, California.

Larry was united in marriage to Joyce Carol Elmore on October 10, 1986. Together they built a loving home and legacy. He is survived by his wife Joyce; his children Zachary Charles Crouch, Lance DeWayne Crouch, and Kari DeAnn Whitman; eight grandchildren—Janelle, Cody, Garrett, Drue, Noah, Shelby, Aurora, and one on the way; five great-grandchildren—Ethan, Haylee, Adelaide, Hunter, and another due soon. He also leaves behind his brother Joseph “Rusty” Sweeney, sister Vicki Simpson, and all the cousins a man could ask for, including some that arguably weren’t cousins that he claimed anyway.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, a beloved nephew Aaron Simpson, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A man who cherished the outdoors, baseball, football, and above all, preaching and teaching God’s Word, Larry spent his life pointing others to Christ. He often said, “Keep your head up and just preach Jesus.”

A visitation for Larry will be held Monday, June 2, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Brentwood Funeral Home, 839 First Street, Brentwood, CA 94513. A graveside will occur Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Oak View Memorial Park Cemetery, 2500 E 18th St, Antioch, CA 94509. A Homecoming Celebration will be held on Tuesday, June 3rd at 11:30 a.m. at Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Concord, California, with a reception to follow in the church’s Life Center.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Larry’s honor to Western Missionary Baptist Institute and Seminary in Fresno, California, or toward the purchase of a new pulpit for Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Concord.

Serving as pallbearers are Drue Tabor, David Elmore, Andrew Thomason, Derek Hunziker, Craig Thomason, Mike Whitman, Vern Simpson, David Carrazco, Garrett Crouch, Noah Crouch, Cody Tapley and Erik Dunning.