Joe Crousen Jr.

Joe Winn Crousen Jr., 71, passed away Friday, July 27, 2012 in Abilene. His funeral service with Dr. David Ray officiating will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, July 30th at the River of Life Church, 539 S. HWY 8384 in Abilene. A graveside service will take place at 4:00 PM in the Woodson Cemetery. Visitation is from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Sunday at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 HWY 277 South.

Joe was born in Quantico, Virginia the son of Joe Winn Crousen Sr. and Ruby Earl Camp Crousen. He grew up in Breckenridge where he graduated from high school in 1959. He was forever proud to be a Breckenridge Buckaroo. Joes passion for the sport of football began at a young age. His high school football career was decorated with allstate honors when he played guard and linebacker on the 1958 state championship team that was coached by the legendary Emory Bellard. After high school, Joe attended San Angelo Jr. College on a football scholarship, and then spent a semester at McMurry University before going to Alpine to play football for Sul Ross State University where he finished his BS degree and started his coaching career as an assistant in charge of defensive backs.

Coach Crousen touched the lives of many young men in all the years and all the places he coached football. His successful career saw stops at R.L. Turner High School in Carrollton, Big Spring High School where he coached under Spike Dykes, Athens High School, Deer Park High School, Mississippi State University where he coached for his mentor Emory Bellard, Ranger Jr. College, Clack Middle School, Cooper High School where helped lead the team to play for the State Championship in 1996, and McMurry University. During his career, he also coached in the Green Belt Bowl and the 1997 Texas High School AllStar Football Game.

Joe was a lifetime member of the Texas High School Coaches Association, the Texas State Teachers Association, and the American Football Coaches Association. In May of this year, Joe was extremely proud and excited to be inducted in to the Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame.

Joe enjoyed hunting, driving his bull dozer and ranching. He was an active member of the River of Life Church where he enjoyed serving as a host home for Anchor Groups.

Survivors include his wife Barbara Crousen of Abilene his children, Kevin Crousen and wife Emily of Abilene, Kerri Morris and husband Greg of Plano, and Tamra Hilborn and husband Charles of LaPorte seven grandchildren, Stealey and Ruby Crousen, Cooper, Claire and Carson Morris, Foster and Levi Hilborn and one brother, Guinn Dale Crousen and wife Betsy of Highland Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to the Joe Crousen Scholarship Fund, co InterBank, Box 1577 Breckenridge, TX 76424 or to Basketball Smiles, 3917 Aviator Dr., Abilene, TX 79606 or via paypal through their website, www.basketballsmiles.com

Visitation

Elmwood Funeral Home
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Sunday, July 29, 2012
6:00 to 8:00 PM

Service

Funeral Service

River of Life ChurchHav
539 S. Hwy 83/84
Abilene, TX  79606
Monday, July 30, 2012
10:00 AM

Graveside Service

Woodson Cemetery
Throckmorton County
Woodson, TX
Monday, July 30, 2012
4:00 PM