of Searcy, AR
July 3, 1930 - May 27, 2022
David "Buzz" Duane Crouch, 91, Pastor Emeritus of First Baptist Church in Searcy, peacefully entered Heaven on May 27, 2022.
David was born July 3, 1930, in Lexa, Arkansas, to the late Oscar E. and Frances Holland Crouch. He was a member of the Barton High School graduating class of 1948. He graduated Hendrix College in 1952, attended the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University and then joined the United States Air Force, flying many missions as a navigator over Europe and Africa during the Korean conflict. David married Blanche Turner, the love of his life on December 20, 1953.
David heard the call of the Lord to preach, and in obedience to God and his love for Jesus, he attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and graduated in 1962 with a Bachelor of Divinity degree. He was called to serve as pastor of Arkansas churches: Linwood Baptist Church in Moscow, Ebenezer Baptist Church in El Dorado, Immanuel Baptist Church in Warren and then First Baptist Church in Searcy until his retirement in 1995 after 22 years as lead pastor. Bro. David did not just preach, he also ministered to his congregation and community through the performance of countless wedding ceremonies, funerals, hospital visits and as a volunteer chaplain at Unity Hospital. Bro. David could often be found at the hospital before 5:00 a.m. praying over church members and anyone needing comfort. Bro. David freely shared his faith so that others would want to seek Him daily in their life.
In addition to his wife Blanche of nearly 65 years, Bro. David counted their four daughters and their families as his greatest blessing. Bro. David was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Blanche; two sisters, Marilyn Frensley and Pat Parish; and two brothers, Jim Smith and Steven "Butch" Crouch. He is survived by his four daughters; Janet (Richard) Wentz of Maumelle, Joy (Tim) Freel of Nashville, AR, Karen (Kent) Coulter of Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas, Amy (Shawn) Durham of Searcy and ten grandchildren, Taylor (John Mark) Burgess, Hope (John) Wofford, Molly (Jordan) Carvell, Ellen Coulter (Anderson) Garcia, Will Coulter, Anna Coulter, Zach (Katherine) Durham, Austin (Tori) Durham, Tyler Parker, Meredith (Cade) McBride; five great grandchildren; one brother, Gene "Laddie" (Velma) Crouch of Cabot; one sister, Jackie (Jon) Hassel of Fayetteville; one sister-in-law, Maxine (Wesley) Moore of Panama City, Florida; his cousins, Sharon (Vance) Lawson of Wynne and Malcolm (Wanda) Crouch of NW Arkansas and many nieces and nephews to whom he was "Uncle Buzz."
Memorials can be made to First Baptist Church, 105 S. Spring St., Searcy, AR 72143; Friends for Life 405 N Walnut, Searcy, AR 72143; or Liberty Baptist Church, 1416 Wildwood Dr., Nashville, AR 71852.
Burial will occur Friday, June 3, 1:00 p.m., at Sunset Memorial Park in West Helena. The funeral service will take place on Saturday, June 4, 2:00 p.m.at First Baptist Church in Searcy. Visitation will be held at Roller-Daniel Funeral Home in Searcy on Friday, June 3, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Another visitation will be on Saturday, June 4, 12:00-1:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Searcy preceding the 2:00 funeral service.
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21 Condolence(s)
Curtis Crisp
Friday, July 29, 2022
Never knew him, but Have Known some of his Family, and I know he was The Lords Servant, Praying for All the Family’s.
Janice Wheatley
Wednesday, June 8, 2022
Brother David was the nicest and most caring man I ever met. Truly a wonderful witness for our Lord.
Byron L Woosley
Monday, May 30, 2022
Rest in Peace, Uncle Buzz.
You'll be missed !
Tom Martin
Monday, May 30, 2022
I came to know Brother Crouch through "Mom" Bertha Baker. Knowing him turned to love, admiration, appreciation and respect for a man of God that ministered not only to FBC, but to an entire community. I'm thankful to have shared ministry opportunities with him while serving as a minister at both the Cloverdale and Downtown CofC's, and as Chaplain w/ the Searcy Fire Department. He was one of a kind that made you a better person because of his love for the Lord and living out Jesus each day in front of all of us!
Blessings and Peace to you all as a family.
Jerry and Ann Carlton
Sunday, May 29, 2022
So sorry to hear about Bro. David. Our pastor at First Baptist during the late 70’s and 80’s, he was a very special servant of God. He will certainly be missed by lots of people here on earth but we know he has now joined a host of Angels in that better place. Our prayers go out to all the family during this time of loss. May God comfort each of you during this time.
Jerry & Ann Carlton
Renee Bitely Hoover
Sunday, May 29, 2022
Love and prayers to the family. We all loved the Crouch family and had many fond memories when he was Linwood's pastor.
Charles & Linda Speer
Sunday, May 29, 2022
Janet and family. We never met your dad but just reading his obituary I know he was an amazing Godly man. You are in our hearts and prayers. Love you.
Patsy Campbell Orcutt
Sunday, May 29, 2022
I grew up with the Crouch and Turner (Blanche's Family) in Phillips County. they were a well-respected family and an integral part of the community. I loved every member of this family. Buzz, as I knew him and I shared the same birthday, he was 10 years older.
He is well deserving of all the accolades posted. I was in touch with him as the chaplain at
Unity Health, South Campus.
My heartfelt condolences go out to Laddie, Jackie and all the family. Prayers for peace and comfort at this time of loss.
June Doggett West
Sunday, May 29, 2022
He was a great Christian man. I loved him and Blanch. They were both so sweet. We loved them at Immanuel Baptist, Warren
Kathy Parish
Sunday, May 29, 2022
Bro. David baptized our grandson Joseph during one of our times at Judsonia First Baptist Church when he was an interim preacher. He then continued to pray for Joe, frequently asking about him when we saw each other at the hospital. What a precious, godly soul rejoices in heaven today! Prayers for all the family.
Hugh Allen and Brenda Quimby
Sunday, May 29, 2022
Brenda and I send our condolences. He was an awesome Pastor and friend. We remember him coming to our mobile home in 1974 and inviting us to attend Immanuel Baptist Church in Warren. I think we joined the next week.
Jesse E Porter Jr “Rustyâ€
Sunday, May 29, 2022
Brother Crouch was an amazing preacher, pastor, friend and true Christian. He filled the pulpit at West Helena Baptist Church as Interim pastor and was unanamously the choice of the church to be our full time pastor, but he insisted it wasn’t God’s call. He was so humble, knowledgeable and sincere. He was God’s gift to me during his presence in my church. He truly was a real servant of our Lord.
He and his family have been important to Phillips County. His picture should serve as the definition of “a good and faithful servantâ€.
Rusty Porter
Danette Maddux
Sunday, May 29, 2022
Karen, I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet daddy. Your daddy is fully whole and healed in the arms of Jesus. He is fully happy and content holding hands with his love of his life, Blanche, in the house of the Lord. My condolences go out to you and your beautiful family.
Ruth Eason Hooper
Sunday, May 29, 2022
Words cannot express how much Bro. David and Blanche meant to the Eason family. I can’t imagine the reunion that is happening now! Sending so much love to you girls.
Debra Reed
Sunday, May 29, 2022
I feel like I knew this wonderful man and his beautiful loving wife through shared stories through the years with their daughter, Karen. My late husband, Ted, was a first cousin to Karen's mother-in-law, Fran Coulter. What a special man he was to his family and community. He will be so missed as his wife has been. My heartfelt sympathy and condolences to all.
david m johnson
Sunday, May 29, 2022
Buzz and Blanche were both friends of mine.
I knew them both for many years in Searcy.
I called on them one time in their home for spiritual advice and help.
They were very gracious and gave timely help.
They worked wonderfully as a christian couple.
I am sure their family will always miss them and they loved them as well as the Searcy community.
They are now in the Lords presence and the Lords Glory forever!!!
Till we all meet again!!
Teresa Rhew
Sunday, May 29, 2022
Bro. Crouch blessed me so many times at Unity (WCMC). His 9am prayers were just some of the best. He always took time to ask about my kids and was a great prayer warrior through many times in my life. He loved and adored God and his family. Prayers for his family on this side of Heaven. I know he is happy with Mrs. Blanch and his Jesus!!
Leah Brooks
Saturday, May 28, 2022
It seems that I have known Brother Crouch all my life, and have always adored him; he also officiated my wedding 25 years ago next month. I also attended Searcy schools with 2 of his daughters. He will definitely be missed by our entire family.
Catherine Malnar
Saturday, May 28, 2022
I first became familiar with the name David Crouch because my grandparents were members of First Baptist church until their death.
Really got to know him as he was a member of the Coffee Club at our restaurant, The Cookie Basket. What a God fearing man who showed the love of the Lord everywhere he went. We were blessed to know him. He is now home
Irene Gray
Saturday, May 28, 2022
My sincere condolences go out to Brother David’s daughters and their families. He was definitely one of the good guys and God’s true servant.
Irene Gray
Leigh Anne Hawthorne
Saturday, May 28, 2022
I am so sorry for your loss. Bro David was a special man. Much love to all the family.