Dad, 
Already a year has passed, your spirit and love lives on within me.  I think you and Mom continue to encourage and watch over us.  I will strive to live by your advise and example to be fair and generous,live by the Golden Rule and forgive others.  As you put it in your passing wishes; God never promised a rose garden of life, but he gave me more sunshine than rain.  
Your Loving Daughter, Kathy

Grandpa.
This is not good bye forever. I believe I will see you again. I believe you and grandma are dancing together just like I remember you dancing at your 50th anniversary.
I will remember the way you would look at grandma and how I always wanted that kind of love for my
own marriage.
I remember that you always held hands every chance you had...
I remember how proud you were of me and how special that still makes me feel.
I remember you called me June, and I never knew why.
I remember that we used to play school together and you were my star pupil.
I remember you would drive all over the state just to watch me play sports with my school team. You said was "scrappy." You and grandma were my biggest fans. I remember you would slip me 5 or 10 dollars and it would be "our secret." I never heard you say a bad word about anybody.
At the dinner table, I remember that if I asked you to "pass the rolls," one was gonna be thrown at me. Or, if you had a straw, I better watch out for the flying wrapper. I remember you used to tickle me with your whiskers. I remember you would hide your stash of grandma's fudge throughout the house and if I found it, I would eat it. You couldn't tell on me because you weren't supposed to have it.
I remember we used to make popcorn every night we were together, but I can't remember why we stopped. Maybe it was because your favorite snack changed to cheese and crackers.
I remember you used to say, "I haven't cut my toenails in 50 years.   And that was because grandma did it for you.
I remember how you took care of grandma when she got sick.
I remember you working on your pocket knives at your work bench. I loved watching you.
I remember tagging along with you to flea markets and knife shows and watching you make a deal
One time you had to spank me...I don't remember what I did but I know it hurt your heart.
I remember how you liked the vegetable beef soup from Shannon's restaurant.
I remember you would let me drive the van before I had my license. I remember how you could make me laugh.
I remember you didn't like to fly and I wonder if you're okay with it now.
Most of all I'll remember how you loved me. And, like you used to say, this is not "good-bye," it's, "I'll see ya later."

Sara

A TRIBUTE TO GRANDPA
I didn't get to spend as much time with you as I would have liked these last few years because of distance, college and marriage, but I know you were proud of me and loved me nonetheless.
Many of my fondest childhood memories involve you; my sweet, loving and fun grandpa.
I see how many lives you touched and the extraordinary life you lived. I realize the depth of your love for Grandma. I will aspire to have the same kind of marriage with my husband, and keep the morals, values and sense of family that you stood for.
I will always remember the "secret" that you had to tell when you leaned and whispered softly in my ear "I love you", which you always make me giggle because your beard would tickle.' I will do the same to my children. I will miss you so much and will carry with me, the bond you a Grandma created.
Love, Emily

Dear Grandpa,
Hey Grandpa it's Kasey, your youngest grandchild. In looking at your pictures I think I know where I got my love for horses and I wish I were there when you met grandma. I remember writing on the hallway walls and you and grandma made me scrub it all off before mom got home. Whether it was to teach me a lesson or just keep me out of trouble I learned from it! Miss the times where we would drink a glass of milk right before bed or we kids would have to try to make a happy plate and believe me dad still tries to get us to do that. The gun rack that you gave me has come in very handy and makes great bridle holders. Last but not least, I may be the closest to a grandson you will get from Kirk Jr, but one who loves that posthole digger you gave me, (Once! figured out how to use it), it works wonders on the farm! Thank you for everything, and give grandma a hug for me! I love you!
Love,
Kasey

Dear Grandpa,
I know we haven't really spoke much the last few year life throws you turns and flips you upside down. You end up forgetting who and what are important and constant in life. From the time you told me we had Cherokee in our blood, very little but still. Ha-ha, you gave me my Indian name too, Princess Little Foot. Guess what? I still have small feet. Those Christmas's you dressed wearing a red suit! I'll never forget, black bag and all. Actually when I told dad that he was going to be a Grandpa I told him it's his turn to wear the red suit. He didn't get it. I did find him a red suit so Layla can have the same experience. Family and love is what you need in life. The love that you and grandma shared was something special. Falling in love as teenagers and making it past 50 yrs plus. That's unheard of these days. I can only pray! Can experience that bond. I'm sure she was there waiting on you saying "the Cruze's are always late", but worth it. We love you Grandpa! Xoxo
—Jen and Layla May 4, 2011

A TRIBUTE TO MY DAD
 
Good night Dad, I love you. I'll miss our nightly phone conversations but we can still speak in my dreams. Don't worry we'll be okay; you made us strong and committed to each other.
I'll never forget holding your hand while you walked us to Sunday school on Locust Street and the sound from your shoes on the side walk, so solid, deep and strong, compared to the clipty-clop sound of my little Sunday shoes; I felt so secure and safe.
You've been sick so many times and the situation seemed hopeless when God wrapped his loving arms around you and brought you back. Your job wasn't done. Now your work is complete. A job well done.
Good night Dad, I love you. Kathy

Grandpa,
Well Grandpa, I never knew what it was like to call anyone Grandpa until my Dad was a Grandpa. It is an honor to call you Grandpa too. God did know what he was doing when he did give us Grandmas and Grandpas. They are to love unconditionally and to listen with less judgment to their grandchildren in a way that their parents can't, provide a home away from home and to add to their memories. You certainly filled those shoes with your Grandchildren and I want to thank you for that. Now that Kirk and I are grandparents, we hope we can fill those shoes and feel the joy that you must have felt. We love you and we will greatly miss you.
Your loving daughter in law Lois
May 7, 2011

Dear Grandpa,
Remember when those huge video cameras came out, grandma and you just had to get one to record your memories. Great job on dance recitals, ball games, and family get together, but I think we all agree that walking and recording was not your talent. One-minute action packed and the next is ground coverage with background sounds of kids or grandma hollering "Hey Grandpa over here!" Those videos will always be fun to watch. Dad says now 'Woman on a mission' but you were always on a mission when it came to flea market adventures. No one could keep up with you or treasures. Now you have a whole new life waiting for you along with grandma. Places to see, things to do and people to meet. We love and miss you!
Love,
Lisa

In your honor I light this candle on Father's Day.  I think of you and Mom every day and I'm grateful for having such loving parents.

Grandpa, next Sunday is Father's Day.  We greatly miss you.  The candle is to honor your presence with us each and every day. Thank you for looking down on us with Grandma.
With Love
Lois, Kirk, and Grandchildren

Kirk was always one of my favorite 'Katty Club' Dad's. Though our lives took us in different directions, I've always cherished those wonderful childhood memories of time spent at Tinki and Kirk's. He was, truly, a great guy.
May God bless and keep you all, in this time of loss.

Butch Whitmer

Dear Kurt, Kevin and Kathy,
You have our deepest sympathies.  You all know how I felt about your Dad, he was the best.  I will always remember our times together.

Steve and Deb Bray

May 11,2011

My thoughts and prayers are with Kirk's family at this difficult time. I first met Kirk when I started working at BHA in 1990. I liked Kirk right from the start. He was always friendly, had a great sense of humor and treated everybody with respect. I will miss my friend.

Carlos Diaz

Dear Cruze Family, Due to family health issues we are unable to come meet with you and share our thoughts with you.  Kirk was a special person to both my wife and myself. I will miss our visits together discussing knives.

We enjoyed many knife shows traveling together.  
I will miss you, you have always been a Very Dear Friend.

Kirk was a great school friend....grade school, jr. high school and high school.  Kirk would call me to come to his house and shoot baskets and I would get there only to find we had to mow the grass first.
Ken Miller '50

Kevin we are here for you and your family

Kirk, Kathy and Kevin and family, you have our thoughts and prayers and loving support in this time of sorrow.  May  God comfort, bless, and sustain you now and always. Love, Perry, Teresa, Meredith & Daniel, Mackenzie and Micah Duncan
Ruth and Buford Duncan
Love from all of Lois' family

Thoughts and Condolensces are with you, Kirky, Kevin, and Kathy. 

The Cusey's of Florida
Jeff, Sheryl, Jacob, Thomas, and Daniel

Remembering Kirk from my days as Manager of the Irivn South Apartments from about 1983-1991 or so. We could always rely on him. RIP - David Kent Coy

OBITUARY

Kirk Y Cruze

July 17, 1931 – May 4, 2011

East Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens

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