of Higginson, AR
March 10, 1923 - August 15, 2017
Howard Monroe ''Arkie'' Crutchfield, 94 of Higginson, Arkansas passed away at his home on Tuesday, August 15, 2017. He was born to his parents, Palmer and Irene Crutchfield in Des Arc, Arkansas on March 10, 1923. Mr. Crutchfield was retired for the United Stated Navy after 28 ¾ years of service to our country.
Mr. Crutchfield was also preceded in death by two wives, Louise Crutchfield and Christanne Crutchfield, four brothers and four sisters.
He is survived by his wife Melvina M. Crutchfield of Higginson; Step-children Danette of Dallas, Texas, Teresa of Arizona, Michelle of Utah, Brad and Kendra of California and a step-daughter Annie Claude of California. He is also survived by Mike Crutchfield of North Little Rock, Arkansas along with many other nieces and nephews and friends.
Mr. Crutchfield began his service to our country in 1939 in the C.C. Camp in South Dakota planting trees. In 1942 he joined the United States Navy and served in World War II, Korea and three tours of duty during the Vietnam War.
While in service, he was found to have many different duties while on aboard naval carriers with duties that included parachute rigging and upholstery repair. He was also a tail gunner on SP2C Dive Bombers, taught land and water survival to the pilots and served in Heavy Photographic Squadron #943 and Attack Squadron # 114. He was also on a Sea Rescue Team and was appointed by the Navy to be a part of a Navy Seal Team#1 from 1968 to 1970. While on the Seal Team during the Vietnam War, he was stationed at Camp Black Rock by Monkey Mountain (behind Camp Swampy Army Base).
After retirement from the Navy he has many other jobs with one being to serve as support staff for the filming of the first Top Gun movie. He also is a Life Member of the VFW, a Life Member of the American Legion Post and a Life Member of the Fleet Reserve. He was a 50 year member of the Colony Masonic Lodge 190 in McCrory, Arkansas.
Visitation will be 6-8PM Monday August 21, 2017 with Funeral Services on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at 9:00AM at Roller-Daniel Funeral Home Chapel. He will be buried at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock. Burial will be private.
Onlineguestbookrollerfuneralhomes.com