Lawrence Crutcher

Born in Cleburne, TX on October 15,1931 to Lawrence N. Crutcher Sr. & Ethel Mae Sanders Crutcher. Much of his childhood was spent traveling from Texas to Washington state while his father, a soil engineer, helped in building auxiliary airports during the World War II era.

Lawrence joined the Navy Sea Bees in December 1950 and served until he was honorably discharged in October 1954. On November 10, 1951 he married the love of his life Elvira Ramirez in the Cathedral of St.Peter and Paul in Providence, RI.

When Lawrence was stationed in Argentina, Newfoundland and Canada, Elvira joined him and presented him with his first son on October 24,1953.

Returning to the states they settled in Port Hueneme, CA and lived there until the Oxnard Harbor District bought out their property in 1964. He worked for Pacific Motor Trucking in Oxnard and the fire department at Pt. Mugu. They were blessed with 4 more sons, Richard William, Donald Bruce, Ronald James and Mark Steven.

Lawrence moved his family to Wilderville, OR where he planned to run a small " U Catch Them" trout farm. He decided to build a taco stand to go with the trout farm until he realized he needed to have bathroom accommodations for patrons. So his wife decided it would be better to build a restaurant. With the help of his 3 oldest sons they were able to stay open for 5 years. They then decided it was too much work for the boys to help in the restaurant while helping to run their rabbit processing plant that he had built to get their rabbits to market. Lawrence started the rabbit processing plant with 130 working does and more that he bought from other growers, he was able to cover all of Southern Oregon with his product. He also raised day-old calves and hogs.

Lawrence worked at the Fort Vannoy Job Corps Camps outside of Grants Pass, OR as a counselor then stayed on as a night watchman when it closed. Then he worked for Spaulding Lumber Company maintaining their roads in the woods. Finding this unreliable due to weather he decided it was time to "get back home" to a steady job. He secured a position "with his name on it" at the NAS, Pt. Mugu, CA Fire Department on San Nicholas Island. Working 8 days on and 6 days off, he traveled the 800 miles from San Nicholas Island to Grants Pass, OR and back every week from February 1974 thru June 1974 when the family moved back to Oxnard.

With so much time off, he studied for his General Contractor's License. He worked for himself and the City of Oxnard until deciding that he would like to have his own sawmill.

Putting a portable sawmill on a piece of property next to Oxnard Lumber, he brought logs from Oregon and cut oak lumber. He liked to make planters in the shapes of trucks, waterwheels, etc. He would give them away to friends and he built things to be sold at the Women's Council Boutiques. He built small children's chairs for St. Anthony's and our Lady of Guadalupe school libraries. When he discovered that building cities and playing games on the computer was fun, he was hooked.

Lawrence leaves behind his wife of 62 years, Elvira, his sons Richard William & Cheryl Crutcher, Ronald Crutcher Sr. and Mark Steven Crutcher; Brothers James Crutcher & Laurell, Rusty Crutcher & Linda; Grandchildren Ronald & James Crutcher-Foltz, Renee & Shane Hickman, Lisa & Ethan Crawford, Jayden Crutcher, Donald B. & Kari Crutcher, Lindsay & Scott Flurry, Rebecca Crutcher, Melissa Crutcher, Samantha Crutcher, Emily Crutcher and 12 great grandchildren. Lawrence was predeceased by sons Larry & Don, parents Lawrence & Ethel Mae Crutcher.

Visiting hours for family will be Monday Feb. 3 from 4-7pm with the Rosary being prayed at 7 pm at Conrad-Carroll Mortuary in Oxnard, CA. Mass will be held on Tuesday Feb. 4 at St. Anthony's Church at 10am with Father Marquez officiating. Burial will follow at Santa Clara Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society 2511 S. C St. Oxnard, CA 93033.

Elvira wishes to thank her " angel" grandchildren, Don & Lindsay, for taking such good care of their grandfather in his final days, Ronald & Renee for helping with the final paperwork and Dr. J. Barbosa for keeping Lawrence "intact" for so many years.

Arrangements under the direction of Funeraria del angel Conrad's & James Reardon, Oxnard, CA.