Raymond Lee Crouse

Raymond Lee Crouse, age 63 resident of Keota West/Briggsdale, CO, passed away at Hospice of Northern Colorado in Greeley on March 10, 2016. Raymond was born November 4, 1952 to Archie and Violet Crouse in Wray, CO.

Growing up in his parent’s Pontiac Garage made Raymond who he became. He was awarded 12 years perfect attendance from the Wray School system. He pursued his art education at Northeastern Junior College with three great teachers, Brown, Prestwich and Youngers. Colorado College in Colorado Springs, CO, added his major in Studio Art with a minor in Education receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1976. After a tour of teaching art in Big Springs, NE, Crouse created sculptural art for Wisdom Manufacturing when he met Van Galloway, an advertisement printer who ran the first edition of three note cards from Crouse paintings. The sales were so positive that on June 5, 1979 he became a full time studio artist opening the Flatlander’s Art Gallery in Wray. The local John Deere dealer owner, Dave Fix, was a great supporter of his farm paintings and introduced the artist to Charlie Gause at the JD Kansas City Branch.

During times of 18% loan interest and many farm foreclosures, Crouse purchased and traveled in a special 18 wheeler gallery built by the Denver Art Museum, crossing 15 states. He shared his story of the farmer in watercolor during the farm crisis of the 1980’s. His art portrayed the machines from past to present sharing the pride of the American Farmer.

In 1992, Crouse leased his studio and gallery from inside Deere’s Bi State Machinery in Greeley, CO. Crouse found the attention of World Headquarters for Deere and Company in Moline, IL. Many corporate commissions for Deere included the history of Deere’s factory celebrations and the machines they created. His art was published in Deere history books. The Danbury Mint, John Deere, and Walmart all sold products from painting compositions by RL Crouse.

Crouse remembered a pencil drawing created for a NJC class project of Ford N tractor being repaired in his parent’s garage. Twenty years later Crouse created the famous watercolor “Clutchin’ the John Deere Value” portraying the dealership’s mechanics working on an old JD 4020 getting a new clutch. When this painting became a cover for a Deere company magazine, all hell broke loose. Corporate didn’t want a broken Deere on a cover of a trade magazine. The Editor asked the artist to explain the story behind the painting. Crouse said the guys in parts and service made Deere the leader in Agricultural Farm Machinery…dealerships could be found every 20 miles in each community. They took in an old tractor and for a few hundred dollars, gave it life to go back and work for another 10 years. Today, Deere has forced mergers on all the family dealerships. They have lost the sense of knowing their customers and neighbors to the good old corporate greed we find across America today. Deere no longer has any of John Deere’s family left in the company and is now owned by Wall Street. You will still find this special old time love in paintings by Crouse.

During retirement, Crouse sculpted scenes of the Pawnee National Grassland on the walls and ceiling, creating a 7,000 sq. foot studio of the prairie. Folks who visit leave in wonder of this unique art. Crouse always commented on the Peace found of the Prairie under his 160 acres of night sky never to be experienced in the city.

Raymond is survived by his brothers, Richard Crouse, Aurora, CO, Floyd Crouse, Wray, CO; sister Janice Sommerfeld, Greeley, CO and brother Larry Crouse, Arvada, CO.

He was preceded in death by his brother William Crouse of Sacramento, CA, and his parents.

A memorial service in Raymond’s honor will be held at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at First United Methodist Church, 917 10th Ave., in Greeley, with a reception to follow in the church fellowship hall.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wray High School Music Department in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 702 13th St., Greeley, CO 80631. Friends may view the online obituary and send condolences at www.allnutt.com.