Michael Crouch

Services are scheduled for 2 pm Tuesday, April 26, at Trinity Temple Assembly of God for Michael Dean Crouch of Artesia, New Mexico.

Mike Crouch, 73, finished his earthly race, and ran into the arms of Jesus on April 20, at his home in Artesia, surrounded by his wife and children.

Pastor Bobby Argo and Eric Kaiser will officiate at the services. Burial will follow at Woodbine Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Clay Faulkenberry, Barry Beadle, Arvin Kinnibrugh, Glenn Kaiser, Stanley Menefee and Ed Parsons. Honorary pallbearers are Jerry Dodd, Tim Baize, Steve Cockrum, Brian Mansell, Jason Mansell and Paul Greenwood. Visitation will be at Terpening & Son Mortuary from 2 to 6 pm on Monday.

Michael was born on April 4, 1949 in Artesia; the son of Clinton "Jack" Crouch and Annie Mae Morris Crouch. You could see Mike cruising around in some pretty cool cars as a teenager. It was then that Patty Solt caught his eye. In June 1968, Mike decided he wanted to marry Patty, but was too young to legally do so in the state of NM. He took Patty's hand as they embarked on a ride of a lifetime via an 18 hour Greyhound bus ride to California. On July 3, 1968, they were married in The Silver Bells Wedding Chapel in Reno, Nevada. They had one heck of a ride for almost 54 years.

Mike worked in the oilfield most of his life. It was during this time that he gained some of the best friends a man could ask for. These friends stood by his side, visited for hours, and told the same stories over and over again. These same friends remained beside Mike until his final days on earth. These friendships are what many of us aspire to have. After Mike retired from the oilfield, he couldn't sit still so he continued to do some different jobs. He cruised around Artesia High School as a security guard for Artesia Public Schools, and his final gig was an acting job at FLETC where he role played a variety of different people. Some would say, or maybe it was Mike, that if awards were to be given out, he would have won Best Actor.

Mike loved Jesus, good food, hot rods, the Artesia Bulldogs, the sun in his face, all kinds of good music except for what these kids listen to these days, and visiting with his friends and family. We often joked that he was mistaken for a Walmart greeter due to his daily trips. He loved his hometown people and looked forward to letting us know whom he visited with that day.

In May 2020, Team Mike Crouch assembled as Mike took on the battle of pancreatic cancer. He taught us all how to fight with dignity, perseverance, and most importantly with the faith of our Lord, Jesus Christ. He beat all odds, ministered to many, and won the battle.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters.

Survivors include his wife Patty Crouch; a son Michael James Crouch and wife Sam; a daughter Carrianne Faulkenberry and husband Clay; grandchildren Bobby Crouch, Devan Nutt, Jayden Crouch, Grace Caldwell, Cutter Faulkenberry, Natalie Faulkenberry, Cierra Dunnavant, Taylor Johnson, and Garrett Johnson; great-grandchildren Avianna, Annsyn, Amillah, Carmen Kay, Holden, Finn and Liam.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Faith Hope and Love Hospice. If there are angels on earth, we truly believe they are Hospice caregivers. The family would also like you to honor the memory of Mike Crouch by sitting on the patio with the sun in your face and listening to music. Heck, maybe even make a trip to Walmart.