Richard Lytle Cromer

Rick died peacefully and surrounded by family at Moses Cone Hospital on July 17, 2025, after several months of declining health. Rick was born in Cairo, IL, the oldest child of Richard and Carolyn Campbell Cromer. When he was a toddler, the family relocated to the Cromer family cotton farm in Mississippi County, Arkansas (Osceola). He grew up there with his two sisters, Louise and Alice, surrounded by an extensive, supportive family, with infrequent, but treasured visits to his mother’s family in Spartanburg, SC, and his father’s in central AL.

Rick graduated high school from The Baylor School, Chattanooga, TN, in 1961 and entered Georgia Tech in pursuit of an engineering degree. While at Georgia Tech, Rick was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, where he annually spent weeks each fall creating the fraternity’s Rambling Wreck for the Homecoming parade. During his freshman year at Georgia Tech, a mutual friend introduced him to Marge Joyce, a student at nearby Agnes Scott College. Eighteen months later they had their first very memorable date, and thus began their life journey together.

Rick graduated from Georgia Tech with his B.S. in Textile Engineering in the spring of 1966. He and Marge married June 17, 1966, in her hometown of Selma, AL. Rick served six years as a navigator in the Naval Air Reserves. That fall he and Marge moved to Anderson, SC, where he began his 30+ year career with Owens Corning Fiberglas (OCF). Their daughters Elizabeth and Dannelly were born in Anderson. In 1973 the family relocated to Jackson, TN, where their daughter Carolyn was born. In Jackson, Rick became manager of that OCF manufacturing plant. He served as general contractor for a custom home they built there, he and Marge doing much of the work themselves. Rick’s experience growing up on a farm, as well as his education in engineering, meant he knew a great deal about all things practical. In 1983 Rick left manufacturing and moved to OCF’s corporate headquarters in Toledo, OH, where he spent his final fifteen years with the company, retiring in 1998. Rick was an effective leader and mentor throughout his years with Owens Corning. He and Marge are fortunate to have a large circle of friends from that corporate family.

Their daughters grown and on their own, Rick and Marge moved to Greensboro, NC, in 1998, where he was President of BGF Industries for four years. Subsequently, he worked with ABTV as a turnaround manager. He spent his final ten years of work as Chief Operating Officer of Acucote, Inc. in Graham, NC, where he developed another circle of deeply cherished friends and colleagues.

Outside of his work life, Rick had three passions - his church, his family and his woodworking shop. A man of deep faith and commitment, he actively served his Presbyterian church wherever he lived. He adored all four of “his” girls - Marge, Elizabeth, Dannelly and Carolyn, supporting them in their every endeavor. Though separated by many miles, there were frequent road trips to the Atlanta, Cleveland, and Columbus, OH areas. His grandchildren were the light of his Greensboro years, and many trips involved watching soccer, hockey and baseball games or gymnastics meets. The best was when they came to his house, where he created projects to make something in his shop, like “guns” to facilitate marsh mellow wars. Happy, memorable days.

Rick will be missed by his family, friends and colleagues. His daughters’ homes are filled with furniture he (and Marge’s dad) made especially for them, as is his beloved Guilford Park Presbyterian Church. Handcrafted gifts from Rick are cherished by many. In recent months, he frequently asked “When do you think I’ll be able to get back to my shop?” He wanted to build a gift for a dear friend; how sad that cannot now happen.

Rick is survived by his wife Marjory Joyce Cromer, daughters Elizabeth McCloy (Atlanta), Dannelly (Jason) Perdion (Strongsville, OH), Carolyn Kilbride (Columbus, OH), grandsons Charles McCloy, J.R. Perdion, Sam Perdion, and granddaughter Campbell McCloy. He is also survived by his sisters Louise (Louis) Reno and Alice (Katie) Van Lennep and by Marge’s siblings Ellen (Bill) Sherling, John (Jennifer) Joyce, Robert (Liz) Joyce as well as nieces and nephews who stretch from coast to coast and across oceans. He was predeceased by his parents, Marge’s parents, her sister Hallie Joyce, and his son-in-law Randy Kilbride. Rick lived his life with passion and will be remembered by all who knew him for his warmth, wisdom, humor and generosity.

Rick’s family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the sensitive and caring medical team who have conscientiously advised and counseled him in recent months – Dr. Stephen Hunter, Dr. Ni Gorsuch and Dr. Will Camnitz.

A Memorial Service in Rick’s honor will be held at Guilford Park Presbyterian Church, 2100 Fernwood Drive, Greensboro, NC 27408 at 1:00 p.m. on August 5, 2025, a reception to follow in the church’s Fellowship Hall. The family would appreciate any memorial gifts be sent to Guilford Park Presbyterian Church.

Hanes Lineberry North Elm Chapel is assisting the Cromer family with arrangements. Fond memories and expressions of symphathy may be shared at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com. View the live-stream service at guilfordpark.org Following the end of the service, the recorded version will be available on the church’s YouTube channel.