Thomas 'Crump' Fulcher

Obituary Thomas Crump Fulcher, 84, of Alexandria, MN (formerly of Peoria, IL) died October 19th at his home surrounded by his family. Crump was born May 13, 1933 in Morehead City, NC to Willie Lewis Fulcher and Rachel Leona Ricks Fulcher. He married Dorothy Ann Hamilton of Whitehall, WI on February 23rd, 1957 in Morehead City, NC. She survives. Also surviving are daughter Christy Lynn Meier (Gene) of Alexandria, MN, son Thomas Hamilton Fulcher (Donna) of Peoria, IL, sister Carolyn Ricks Moran of Morehead City, NC, sister-in-law Margaret (Peg) Klein Fulcher of Greenville, NC and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, brother William (Billy), sister Rose Marie and brother-in-law Michael Moran. Crump was a graduate of East Carolina University in Greenville, NC, receiving his Bachelors degree in 1959 with a Major in Accounting and a Minor in Economics. He went to school on the GI bill and completed his degree in three years, working while in college on the North Carolina Tobacco Market at night as well as keeping books at a local music store on weekends. During this time his wife Dot worked at the Pitt County Register of Deeds Office in Greenville, NC. A Korean War Navy Veteran, he served from 1952-1960. After boot camp in San Diego, he attended Airman School in Norman, OK, Aviation Mechanic School in Memphis, TN, and was then assigned to the Naval Air Station in Kingsville, TX. He was later transferred to the aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga at the Brooklyn Navy Shipyard and then cruised the Caribbean and Mediterranean Sea. While in the Mediterranean, Crump had the opportunity, through the USO, to be included in an audience with Pope Pius XII at the Vatican in Rome in 1955 at Christmas time. In 1956 he returned to the U.S. and was transferred to the Naval Reserves and served in the Reserves from 1956 to 1960 while attending college. Employed at Sealtest Foods after college, he was Office Manager in Norfolk, VA, Zone Comptroller in Denver, CO, District Financial Analysist in the Chicago office and District Comptroller in Peoria, IL. In 1975, he became a Partner and Controller of Erickson-Tousley Construction Company, later changed to Tousley-Iber Co (a local commercial construction company). In 1988, he became Controller and Treasurer at Parsons Co in Roanoke, IL (a steel manufacturing company) until his retirement in 1997. He was one of the original members of the Board of Directors and a partner of Mercedes Restaurants, Inc established in 1975 and served until his death. His volunteer time was spent as a past member of the Board of Directors of Southside Mission and the Illinois Valley Mental Health Assoc. Crump was an active member of the Suicide Prevention telephone hot-line for over 10 years for the Mental Health Assoc. He was a member of the American Legion Post 2 and a former Engineer for the railroad at the State of Illinois Wildlife Prairie Park. He was a graduate of various Peoria Chamber of Commerce programs including the Community Leadership School and the Government Affairs program. Crump and Dot enjoyed traveling and visiting family and friends. They relocated to Alexandria, MN during the summer of 2017 to be closer to their daughter and son-in-law. Crump was a train buff and he and Dot took many trips on the train. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Peoria for over 20 years, serving as a choir member, a Sunday school teacher, an usher and as a member of the Board of Elders. He was a cook at the Easter Breakfast and an auctioneer at the Christmas auction for many years at Immanuel. He was a current member of Redeemer Lutheran Church of Peoria. Crump was a devoted husband and loving father, generous and compassionate, with a great sense of humor. He loved to joke around with others and make them laugh. His blue eyes and charming smile touched everyone he met, and he will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Services will be held at his sisters church, First United Methodist Church in Morehead City, NC on Friday October 27th at 2:00 PM. There will be a visitation at the church one hour prior to the service. A private graveside service for the family will follow the service with interment at Bayview Cemetery. Memorials may be made to The History Museum of Carteret County (formerly The History Place), 1008 Arendell St., Morehead City, NC 28557. Visitation 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ,Friday, October 27, 2017 First United Methodist Church 900 Arendell Street Morehead City, NC, Carteret County 28557 Funeral Service 2:00 PM ,Friday, October 27, 2017 First United Methodist Church 900 Arendell Street Morehead City, NC, Carteret 28557 Interment is private. Services You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Thomas 'Crump' Fulcher