Samuel Crookshanks

Samuel A. Crookshanks, 96, Kansas City, passed away January 18, 2020 at Lindenwoods Village.  Visitation will be on Friday, January 24 from 12-1pm at Hillside Christian Church, 900 NE Vivion Road, with services to follow at 1:00pm.  Burial will take place at Terrace Park Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the church’s Building Fund.

Mr. Crookshanks was born on June 3, 1923 in Browning, Missouri, to Clarence and Amy (Merrill) Crookshanks, and grew up in Meadville, Missouri.  His mother passed away when Samuel was seven years old and he and his siblings were raised by their father with the help of friends, family, and neighbors.  Samuel married Betty Horton on October 25, 1942, shortly before his entry into the Army on December 27, 1942.  He served bravely during WWII, stationed in N. Africa, Italy, France, and Germany, earning five Bronze Stars before his honorable discharge on October 19, 1945.

Samuel retired from General Motors after many years of service.  He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, and hunting, and up until very recently was still living in the house that he and his son built together in 1959.

Samuel was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, in 2005; his son, Larry, in 1998; and his siblings:  Eugene, Robert, Margaret, and Rex.   He is survived by his daughters, Linda Ballentine (husband, Ray, deceased) of Excelsior Springs, and Rebecca Hendrix (husband, Randy), of Kansas City; grandchildren:  Lori, Gina, Jason, Samantha, and Cara; 14 great grandchildren; and five great grandsons.