John Sheppard Crute, Jr. passed away while vacationing with family in Emerald Isle, North Carolina on Sunday, May 14, 2023.  Born on June 10^th 1935 in Buckingham County, he was a quiet, gentle and humble man who loved deeply – his God, his wife, his family, and his friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Sheppard Crute, Sr. and Ruth Shepherd Crute, his sister, Page Crute Switzer and his brother-in-law, Gene Switzer; and a special cousin, Ann Spencer and her husband Robert Spencer.

John is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Martha Donaldson Crute;  his daughter Susan Crute Denny and husband David;  son John Sheppard Crute, III and wife Tina; step sister Gerry Siekirski and husband Zenon; sister-in-law Pat Donaldson Ferguson; granddaughters Maggie Crute; Hope Denny; Kellie Riley and husband Zach; Jessie Graybill and husband Evan and great granddaughter, Millie.

He is also survived by grandsons Gabriel Denny; Chris Denny and wife Josie and great granddaughter Joanna; Phillip Denny and wife Jennie and great grandchildren Judah and Annelise. Also, nephews Gary Switzer and wife Debbie and Mark Switzer; a  nephew Bruce Spencer and his wife, Ellen; brother-in-law Tom Middlecamp.

He was a faithful and devoted servant to his church, Christ Lutheran Church in Roanoke, Virginia.  He also volunteered at R.A.M. House, Habitat for Humanity and Meals on Wheels. He was an avid surf fisherman and belonged to angler’s clubs at Nags Head and Cape Hatteras in North Carolina.

John was a member of Hidden Valley Country Club and enjoyed his golf partners. He loved traveling and he and Martha traveled around the world together. One of his great loves was beach vacations with his family and that is where he was when he passed.

John attended Hampden – Sydney College before serving in the U.S. Army in Korea. When he returned, he married Martha in 1957. Soon after, he returned to college at Virginia Tech, where he graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, in 1962.

He worked for Norfolk Southern Railroad for thirty years and was Assistant Vice President-Motive Power, when he retired.

Above all, John loved his family and friends; he was devoted to all of them and was happiest when surrounded by all of them.

John had a servant’s heart and his life of service, love and generosity was both a blessing and an inspiration to his family and he will be sorely missed by all.

Visitation will be Tuesday May 23, 2023 at Oakey’s South Chapel from 6-8pm. A service to celebrate John’s life will be Wednesday May 24, 2023 at 11:00am at Christ Lutheran Church 2011 Brandon Ave. SW Roanoke, VA 24015 with the Rev. David Skole and the Rev. Cynthia Keyser officiating and a reception will follow the service. Interment will follow in Evergreen Burial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made either to Christ Lutheran Church, 2011 Brandon Ave. SW Roanoke VA 24015 or Habitat for Humanity, in John’s memory.

Arrangements by Oakey’s Funeral Service- South Chapel, Roanoke, VA (540) 989-3131.

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