Howard Crouch

Howard CrouchHoward Crouch, 82, of Midland, passed away on Thursday, August 27, 2009, at the Midland Memorial Hospice Unit. He was a Baptist and a resident of Midland for over 60 years.Howard Lee Crouch was born on August 30, 1926 in Bagwell, Texas. He was the son of Lois Dunham Crouch. He served in the United States Army during World War II. He married Jimmie Ingram on July 19, 1946 in Paris, Texas.Howard was the owner/operator of both Crouch Well Service and Crouch Oilfield Service. He worked in the petroleum industry for almost 60 years. He was known for his great humor, known to be a man of his word and was well respected in the oilfield business by all of his peers. He and Jimmie moved from Paris to Midland in 1949, where Howard went to work for Paul Bates at G & W Well Service. In 1954 he entered a partnership with Barney Foster, forming F & F Well Service. He formed Crouch Well Service in 1965. In the 1970's he added Crouch Oilfield Service. Howard said he didn't have a high-minded philosophy about the business and added, "I just want my kids to have it better than I did."Howard was a Scottish Rite Mason and for many years served as President of the Midland Range Riders. He owned horses and his passion was racing quarter horses. He was particularly fond of his quarter horse, Midland Native. A close friend said, "He loved slow horses and fast cars." He enjoyed golf for most of his life.Howard was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, who was never too busy to lend a helping hand to anybody and everybody in need of one.Howard is survived by the love of his life and wife of 63 years, Jimmie Crouch of Midland; his daughter and son-in-law, Tracy and Wayne Youngs of Midland; his son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Sid Crouch of Midland; 5 granddaughters; Shanna Koonce of Austin; Tammy Lewis and her husband, Clif of Midland; Parker Crouch of Austin; Alex Crouch of Midland; and Cecily Crouch of Midland; 2 great granddaughters; Jordan and Avari Lewis of Midland; plus numerous nieces and nephews.Howard is preceded by his mother; Lois Crouch; his brother; Frank Long and his sister; Joann Crouch.Visitation will be held Sunday, August 30, 2009, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Funeral services will be held Monday, August 31, 2009, at 10:00 AM at First Baptist Church with Reverend Bob Porterfield officiating. Entombment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park Mausoleum. Pallbearers will be Bill Sommers, Frank Pannell, Don Johnson, Vicente Lopez, Larry Schneider, Clif "Scott" Lewis, Wayne Youngs, BJ Avance, Phil Stroud, Charles Koonce and Dana Slusher. Honorary pallbearers will be Dan Cornelius, Bill Smith, Jim Smith, Jim Miller, Irby Brown and Carl "Booger" Cooper.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made in Howard's honor to Hospice of Midland, PO Box 2621, Midland, TX 79702.Funeral arrangements are under the care of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,