Grinnlon Crutch, Jr.'s Obituary

Name: Funeral Service
Start: 07/05/2016 11:00 AM
Location: Grace Memorial Funeral Home

Grinnlon Crutch, Jr. was born to the late Grinnlon Crutch, Sr. and Grace Ashford Crutch in Colbert County, Alabama on February 27, 1970. He was given the nickname "Crutchie". As he matured in life, his nickname matured with him. As an adolescent, he was known as "Little Crutch" but as a adult, he shortened it to "Crutch". Those closest to him still held on to his nickname from birth.

He accepted Christ as his personal Savior at an early age and was baptized at Bethel Colbert MB Church of Leighton, Al. under the leadership of Pastor Leo Owens.

As a child he really enjoyed living in Madison, Wisconsin and often spoke of wanting to return there one day; even if only for a visit. He attended Lee High School in Huntsville, Al. and later Colbert County High School in Leighton, Al. A graduate of Shoals Community College, he became a Certified Electrician. An unfortunate accident of a very close friend caused him to abandon this profession and he soon matriculated to Tuskegee University studying Engineering. While in school, Grinnlon became a member of Lewis Adams Lodge, No. 67 Free and Accepted Masons Prince Hall Affiliation Tuskegee Institute, Alabama. He later became a Lifetime Member of Tennessee Valley Consistory No. 60 located in Huntsville, Al; a member of the United Supreme Council 33, A.A.S.R. of Freemasonry , S.J., Prince Hall Affiliation.

He was a very hard working and industrious young man, and became an entrepreneur with his father in the running of their family business, Crutch Maintenance and Construction and GC's Rib Place. Desiring a change in environment, Grinnlon moved to Avon, Ohio and joined the Ford Motor Company. He later obtained his Commercial Drivers License and begin performing long haul driving. Desiring to be closer to home and family, he was able to obtain a position with his uncle at Stanley Construction Company as a Large Equipment Transporter, a position he also later held at Angelo Lafrate Construction Company.

In November of 2013, he was diagnosed with ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. In January of 2014, he moved in with his aunt and cousin when he could no longer live alone. Although there is no cure for this disease, he never gave up hope that God would heal his body. He was the joy of all his caregivers who he would often make laugh uncontrollably while providing him care. He had a kind and giving heart and loved to provide wise council to others even through his illness. He never wanted to be limited by his diagnosis. He took pride in showing off his technology, offering a demonstration of his high tech electronic wheelchair to anyone, as well as his newest toy, a Tobii Dynavox which allowed him to operate his computer with only his eye movements.

On Sunday, June 26, he re-confessed and affirmed his faith in God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ by asking one of his professional caregivers to post the following to his Facebook page:

"My name is Grinnlon Crutch Jr. and I'm a Christian and I love Jesus Christ, despite the fact that I'm in the flesh, and I fail Him every day. I believe that Jesus is the son of God, was crucified on the cross, died for my sins and rose again to give me salvation. He loves me dearly, and forgives my sins. His word (The Holy Bible) says if I deny him before men he will deny me before His Father in Heaven."

Grinnlon had an extremely good week; responding to his aunt on Monday that his greatest wish was to wake up on Wednesday morning. He did wake up on Wednesday and as he went to bed on Wednesday night, he told his aunt that he loved her early Thursday morning he quietly went home to be with his earthly and heavenly fathers.

His infectious smile, personality and sense of humor will be missed by many, as he never met a stranger. He leaves to cherish his memory a Dedicated and Caring aunt and cousin, Elise Paulette Langham and Arnetta Langham-Toney, Al. Loving and Devoted grandparents, Levert Sr. and Naomi Crutch- Leighton, Al. Beloved Daughter Alexandria Janae Smithers-Madison, Al; Mother Grace Ashford-Knoxville, TN; Aunt Bonnie (Eddie) Senior-Courtland, Al; Three uncles Sammy (Vietta) Ashford-Huntsville, Al; and Minerva (Francis) Jackson-Grand Rapids, MI; two great uncles, Thornton (Mary) Stanley-Huntsville, Al. and Ossie (Linda) Stanley-Jacksonville, Fl.; Cherished cousin and caregiver Tamiko Steward; Two close friends and confidants Remika Garrett-Huntsville, Al. and Nairobi Handy, Columbus, GA.; faithful caregivers, Amber Douglas, Kenya Wilson, Jaquita Middlebrook, and Ken Nalls-Huntsville, Al. and a host of cousins and friends.

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