James Crouch

James E. "Nubbin" Crouch, 86, died April 23, 2019 at the Artesia General Hospital with his family by his side. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 AM, Saturday, April 27, 2019 at Hermosa Church of Christ.

Mike Prude will officiate at the services with burial to follow at Woodbine Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Clint Derrick, Cole Derrick, Justin Patman, Duncan Karr, Dominic Bejarano, Randy Letcher and Anthony Trevino. Honorary pallbearers are all of Nubbin's "Coffee Drinking Buddies."

Visitation will be at Terpening & Son Mortuary Friday, April 26th from 12:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. The family will greet visitors from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

"Nubbin" was born in Logan, N.M. on May 15,1932, the son of Euin Mitchell and Jessie (Pope) Crouch. He was the middle son with Newel Crouch the oldest and the youngest Dell Ray Crouch.

Nubbin was a graduate of Artesia High School earning his diploma while in the United States Navy, which he joined at the age of 17. He was very proud of his service to his country spending 2 tours in Korea during the Korean War. During his 4 years of service on board the Theodore E Chandler DD717, he was a decorated hero for his service and for saving a drowning man who went overboard. His companions on the ship were as close as brothers to him.

Nubbin worked all his life beginning with selling newspapers, cleaning in a clothing store and his main love of being a plumber. He began that career when he was 10 years old and was the founder of Crouch Plumbing & Heating. He continued that career until a year before his passing.

On June 1, 1957 he married Dorothy Deering in Artesia and they were blessed with 3 children.

He is survived by his wife Dorothy of the family home; children Dell L. "Roy" and wife Dianna, Rita Derrick and husband Lewis and James Randell and wife Dena - all of Artesia; grandchildren Brandi Hobbs and husband Bobby of Charlotte, NC, K. C. Crouch and wife Feifei of San Mateo, CA, Clint Derrick of Artesia, Cole Derrick of Artesia, Shelly Swafford and husband Justin of Tulsa, OK, Amanda Patman and husband Justin of Artesia, Savannah Karr and husband Duncan of Artesia, Cambree Bejarano and husband Dominic of Artesia; and 17 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind brother Newel Crouch of Carlsbad and many cousins and dear friends who he was very close to.

Nubbin was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Dell Ray.

One of his favorite pass-times was having coffee with his buddies who include Russ Brown, C.E. LaRue, J.T. Jackson, Danny Carroll, A. A. Klein, Cliff Perkins, Richard Champion and many others who stopped by Crouch Plumbing to share a cup of coffee and conversation.

At church, Nubbin was known as the "Candy Man". His bag of candy was with him at every church service and "children" of all ages came to Nubbin to get a piece of their favorite candy.

One of Nubbin's favorite acts of charity was sponsoring the church's youth activities. Anyone who would like to honor Nubbin with a contribution may send a donation to the Hermosa Church of Christ (notate Youth Group in the memo section of your check) - 2512 W. Bush - Artesia, NM 88210 or to a charity of your choice.

Visitation

Terpening Son Mortuary
611 W. Grand Ave.
Artesia, NM  88210
Friday, April 26, 2019
12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Service

Funeral Services

Hermosa Drive Church of Christ
2512 W Bush Ave.
Artesia, NM  88210
Saturday, April 27, 2019
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Woodbine Cemetery
200 E. Hermosa Drive
Artesia, NM  88210

Memorial Contributions

Hermosa Church of Christ Youth Group
2512 W Bush Ave.
Artesia, NM  88210