Jack Dean Crutchfield Passed Away
Jack Dean Crutchfield, 75, a long-time resident of Marco Island passed away Friday, September 18, 2009.
He was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma on July 19, 1934. He attended Rice University on a Naval ROTC scholarship and was commissioned an Ensign in the US Navy after graduating with high honors from Rice with a Chemical Engineering degree in 1957 and serving as President of his class. Jack served as an engineering officer on a mine sweeper and an aircraft carrier; completing several Pacific Ocean cruises while serving in the Navy from 1957 to 1960.
After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Jack began his 30 year career with the Exxon Corporation in 1960; starting as an engineer and then quickly moving into management positions. Jack's career with Exxon gave him the opportunity to live and travel across the world in his many assignments. He worked as Exxon's representative with the Iraqi Petroleum Company and also with the Iranian consortium early in his career and later served most notably as the President of Esso Middle East and on the Board of Directors of The Arabian American Oil Company. His skills, charm and intellect made him adept in any situation, from eating with a sheik in a tent in the Saudi Arabian desert to attending dinner parties with corporate and government leaders.
After retiring from Exxon in 1988 Jack and his wife Ledlie Crutchfield moved to Marco Island and kept up their active life style. Jack followed his love of the sea after moving to Marco Island and became actively involved in the Power Squadron, serving in several leadership positions including Commander of the Marco Island Squadron and in the Coast Guard Auxiliary, using his boat to conduct patrols in the gulf helping other boaters. He was also a member of the Marco Bay Yacht Club, a past member of the Hideaway Beach Board of Directors and was a member of the San Marco Catholic Church parish for 21 years and a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Jack was also a lifelong bridge player with Ledlie and attained the Life Master designation.
Jack is survived by his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 54 years Ledlie Crutchfield, two children; Keely Stiner of Trinity, FL and Jack Crutchfield, Jr. of Houston, TX, son-in-law Preston Stiner; five grandsons, Matthew, Wesley and Bradley Stiner, Jack III and Jon Crutchfield and one granddaughter Jordan Crutchfield.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Jack W. and Nell Dean Crutchfield and brother John.
A visitation was held Monday, September 21 at the Hodges-Josberger Funeral Home at 577 Elk Cam Circle, Marco Island, FL, (239) 394-7573.
Services were at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at the San Marco Catholic Church, 851 San Marco Road, Marco Island, FL 34145.