The family of AMS2 Joe Crutcher has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to be present to honor their hero for his service. It will be our privilege to do so.
Joe Allen Crutcher, 75, served his country in the United States Navy for 12 years. He served 10 years on active service and two in the reserves. He was a Vietnam veteran 1967-1968.
Joe, the son of late Herbert and Evelyn Crutcher, was born on June 21, 1946, Bloomington Illinois. He was one of 13 children and was preceded in death by his Brothers Gordon, Kenneth and Gilbert and Sisters, Carol, Vicki, Mary, and Alice.
Joe graduated from Bloomington High School in 1964 and as a young man enlisted in the United States Navy. Over the course of his 12-year naval career, Joe’s proudest period would be his one-year of service in the Republic of Vietnam, 1967-1968, as a Plank-owner Maintainer with the HA(L)-3) Navy Seawolves, the most decorated Squadron in Naval Aviation History. The Brotherhood created in Vietnam with his friends and fellow Seawolves stood the test of time and would be one of Joe’s most cherished blessings on this earth. Joe was also a Plank-owner with the VF-1 Wolfpack and went on a world cruise with the US Navy’s first F-14 Tomcat. After Joe’s Navy Career, he would spend 11 years with Teledyne Ryan, San Diego, building the Apache Helicopter, several years working with Sikorsky Aircraft and would retire from working in 2020 after having worked at Solar Turbines, San Diego, for 25 years in numerous leadership positions including playing an active role with the Armed Forces Network.
Joe is survived by his loving wife Jane, a childhood friendship that began 65 years ago at the age of 10 years of age. Joe is also survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Dina and Anthony Ebitner of Temecula, CA; Son, Patrick Crutcher of Hemet, CA; Daughter, Andrea Crutcher of Camden, TN and daughter and son-in-law, Shannon and Jeff Arballo of San Marcos, CA; Grandchildren, Lacie Sommers, Nolan Freeman, Anthony Ebitner Jr., Haley Stacy, Benjamin Ebitner and Madison Crutcher and Joe’s beloved remaining siblings, Jim of Fairbury, IL, Bill and Kevin of Bloomington, Il and Roger of Elizabethtown, KY and Sister, Janet of Bloomington, IL.
Joe had a full life… He loved his Family, his Lord, his friends and his Country and will be missed beyond measure by those of us who God allowed to be a part of his Life Story.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, please see the time table if you would like to participate.
Time Table for Wednesday, December 1, 2021:1045 – Stage at Poway-Bernardo, 13243 Poway Road, Poway, California 92064
https://goo.gl/maps/f3FFioJEm7wdnC7NA1100 – Mission Briefing
1130 – Flag line for our hero’s transfer to coach
1145 - KSU for Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Drive, San Diego, CA 92122
https://goo.gl/maps/BRo3w12TUHNGQUi961230 - Arrive Miramar National Cemetery
1300 - Service with Military Honors
R/C: Paul McCarthy“RoundTrip”
SoCal PGR Ride Captain
pmccarth1@gmail.com
619 838-9123
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission, everyone is welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
