AREA OBITUARIES -- JAMES "RABBIT" CRUCE

James “Rabbit” Cruce, age 95, of South Fulton, Tenn., passed away peacefully at his daughter’s home in Missouri on Wed., Feb. 5, 2025. Born on May 28, 1929, at Pierce Station in Obion County, Tenn., he was the eldest son of Leman H. Cruce and Nola Mae Cruce-Hull. He was a member of Walnut Grove Church in South Fulton, Tenn.

James began his career as a flagman on the railroad in 1944 with Illinois Central Railroad. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953 as the Yardmaster of the Korean National Railroad at the young age of 22 due to his experience and passionate work ethic. In 2010, he received a letter of recognition from the President of the Republic of Korea thanking him for the work he did during the Korean War and asked him and his family to return to see what the country was able to accomplish because of the sacrifices he and other Veterans made.

After the Korean War he worked in the freight service for Illinois Central as a flagman and brakeman. He was offered a conductor position on a passenger train out of the city of New Orleans before making a transition to working as a conductor on a freight train. From 1976 to 1991 he supported the rail service for the Westvaco Paper Mill in Wickliffe, Ky. where he concluded his career as a switchman, totaling 47 years with the railroad upon his retirement. In addition to his railroad career “Rabbit” was a skilled electrician, wiring many local homes. He enthusiastically answered the call to many people needing his electrical skills.

Rabbit served as the President of the I.C. Hunting and Fishing Club at Little Bear on the Kentucky Lake for 29 years. His hobbies included fishing, water skiing, boating, jet skiing and sharing these activities with others especially his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, whom he adored.

James was a dedicated member of the Shriner organization receiving his pin for 75 years just recently on Sept 15, 2024. He relished the opportunity to drive children and their parents to the Shriner’s hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. For 25 years he participated in parades on the Shriner’s Train. He played a significant role in rewiring a meeting room in the old H.I.S. Building, currently the City Hall, ensuring the Shriners have a lifetime meeting place.

One of James’s most notable accomplishments was being the Co-Founder and director of the Twin Cities Railroad Museum which opened in May 2008. His love for trains and dedication to the local community shone through in his many volunteer hours, where he taught children about train and railway safety. He was particularly passionate about highlighting the dangers of playing near train tracks as well as educating truck and bus drivers of the proper procedure how to cross the train tracks by utilizing the Operation Life Saver Organization and the Little Obie Rail Safety program. Through his commitment to the Lifesaver school presentations he educated children in 8 counties touching the lives of children in 35 schools with the Little Obie Rail Safety Program.

Awards James was very proud of receiving include being commissioned a Kentucky Colonel in 2001, an award for his hard work and focus from IC/CN called the “EAGLE EYE” for commitment to safety, attention to detail and keen observations while looking out for the SAFETY of the Railroad community and schools of Fulton, KY and South Fulton, TN as an Operation Lifesaver Representative in March 2016, being selected the Citizen of the Year in 2017 for the Twin Cities of Fulton, Ky and South Fulton, TN, being given the honor to be selected the Grand Marshal of the Banana Festival Parade in 2018, and being a recipient of a 70 year pin from the Railroad Union out of Jackson, TN, and most recently receiving his 75 year pin for being a member of the Shriners organization. Known for his enthusiasm and commendable work ethic, James set an example for many to follow.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Maudine Dickerson of 72 years to whom he was married on August 3, 1951 in Corinth, MS, a brother Royce A. Cruce and a sister Mary Katherine Simpson.

 James is survived by four daughters : Vicki (Dick) Green of Lake St. Louis, MO, Debbie (Scott) Eagle of Menlo Park, CA, Kim (Bert) Vogelbacher of Marietta, GA, Beth (Joseph) Cross of Martin, TN and seven grandchildren: Hope (Grant) Sleesman of Aurora, CO, Megan Green of Wilmington, NC, Max Eagle of Menlo Park, CA, Jessica Eagle of Castle Pine, CO, Sam Vogelbacher of Marietta, GA, Brittany McClanahan of Dresden, TN and Dylan (Brooklynne) McClanahan of Mililani, Hawaii, three great-grandchildren: Mackenzie, Peyton, and Hallie Sleesman.

James “Rabbit” Cruce lived a life full of dedication, service, and passion for his community. His contributions to the railroad industry, his community involvement, and his endless enthusiasm for teaching and entertaining others, especially his grandchildren, leave a lasting legacy for years to come.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sat.,  Feb. 15, 2025, in the Hornbeak Funeral Chapel with Paul Adams officiating. Visitation will be held from 12 noon until the hour of the service. Burial will follow in the Obion County Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to be made to one of the following: St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105, Walnut Grove Church P.O .Box 5024, Fulton, KY 42041 or Shriners Hospitals for Children Attn: Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.