ROY DONALD CRUIKSHANK
Roy Donald Cruikshank, 97, finally got his wish to join his wife Mary, on Sunday September 6, 2009, and crossed over into a heavenly celebration. He was surrounded by family and his great-grand dog Izzy.
He was born September 6, 1912 at Page, West Virginia, and was the son of the late Edward Franklin Cruikshank and Nanette Bailes Cruikshank. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Cook Cruikshank, his daughter Sharon Cruikshank Ellison, brothers Homer, Harry and Lowell and sisters Mayme Hippert, Mayble McLaughlin, Myrtle Edens, Maysel Ward and Lola Smith.
Survivors include his son Stephen Michael and wife Sharon Phillips Cruikshank, his granddaughter Morgan Ryan Cruikshank of Fayetteville, WV and grandson Michael Roy Cruikshank of Lexington, KY. Also surviving Roy are: his niece Norma Jordan who was very close to his heart., other nieces and nephews Mary Sue and Noel Revels, Paul and Patty Cook, Jr., Wanda Divita, Jacque Keep, Charlene Sproles, Bob Ward and Gary Ward. Heartfelt thanks go out to his wonderful caregivers Nola Treadway and John Hannigan--their devotion was unparalleled.
Roy graduated from Gauley Bridge High School in 1933 and proudly received his degree from the College of Hard Knocks, founded by Jim Comstock.
After time as a coal miner earning fifty cents a ton, he was employed at the Alloy plant where he was a foreman when he enlisted in USMC on December 8th, 1941. He served in the pacific theater with the First Marine Division on Guadalcanal, where he was wounded twice: once in the head and once in the leg thankfully surviving both to become a great father and grandfather. Before two more island campaigns he spent six weeks attached to the Australian Army training as a demolition specialist. On VJ Day he was on a troop transport bound for the invasion of Japan.
After the war Roy joined the Fayetteville Fire Department serving as Chief from 1953 until 1960. He earned his pilot’s wings with the famous “$5 Frank” and assisted with the formation of the Air Scouts of BSA Troop 179, later serving as a District committee member on the Buckskin Council. He was a charter member of American Legion Post 149, serving as Post Commander and service officer assisting veterans.
He was a member of the Fayetteville Baptist Church, where he was a long time teacher of the Men’s Bible Class and later served as Deacon Emeritus. A former Sunday School Superintendent, he also served on the Finance Board and as a Trustee of the Church.
Roy served terms as President of both the West Virginia American Baptist Men and the West Virginia Baptist Convention. He was a member of the Board of Governors and a former Trustee of Alderson-Broadus College. He received the Methuselah Emeritus Award at Camp Cowen for many years of attendance.
Roy was President of the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce in 1977 and presided in the opening of the New River Gorge Bridge that same year.
All services will be at the Fayetteville Baptist Church with visitations from 5:30PM-8:30PM, Thursday September 10, 2009 and one hour before the funeral. Funeral services are Friday, September 11, 2009 at 11:00 AM. Burial with military rites conducted by American Legion Post 149 will follow at Huse Memorial Park, Fayetteville.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Roy to the Fayetteville Baptist Church Scholarship Fund, 104 Ankrom Street, Fayetteville, WV 25840.
Online condolences and other information available at www.doddpaynehessfuneralhome.com.
Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home, 350 W. Maple Ave., Fayetteville, will be assisting the family.
