Donald Cruse

He was born in 1939 to Edward and Mabel Cruse, the 3rd of 4 children. Although there was little money around there was a strong sense of family and love for family. Don graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1957 where he was part of the Woodlawn High School Warblers Club. After graduation, he joined the Army Reserves retiring after 24 years as Lt Colonel.

On April 27th 1962, he married Judith Marion Lanier, a union that would last 51 years until her death on May 25, 2013.

He subsequently graduated from Howard College and Cumberland School of Law. He was elected as a Civil Court Judge in 1986 and served 26 years until his retirement in 2002. He served as an elder at Grace Presbyterian Church and Trinity Presbyterian Church. He is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Betty, and her husband Joe Fredrick; his brother, Bob Cruse; and brother-in-law, Tom McCay. He is survived by his daughter, Cathy Romei; his son, Richard Cruse, and his wife, Wendy Cruse; sister, Lottie McCay; and sister-in-law, Ann Cruse. Also, 3 grandchildren, Laura Romei, Kaitlyn Romei and Mary Cruse; and 2 great-grandchildren, Payton Romei and Paisley White.

Visitation is at 11:00 am until service time at 12:00 pm at Rideout’s Trussville Chapel Tuesday October 22, 2013. Internment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery.