Max Edward Cruse Sr.

Mr. Max Edward Cruse, Sr., 81, passed away Friday, March 2, 2018, at Carolinas Medical Center - Mercy in Charlotte.

A funeral service is scheduled for 4:00 pm Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church. Rev. Rafe Allison will officiate. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 1:30 to 3:30 pm Tuesday at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church.

Mr. Cruse was born October 15, 1936 in Cabarrus County. He was a son of the late Oscar Orlin Cruse and Ila Maggie Kluttz Cruse. Max was a graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School. He was a life long member of Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, where he was active until his health permitted. He attended Cold Water Lutheran Church. Mr. Cruse donated his time and effort to many schools and farming related activities. Max also was an avid New York Yankees fan. He tried for many years to help the numerous cattle farmers of the community. He always was there to lend a helping hand to many people in need. Max was an active member of the Cabarrus County Republican Party in his earlier years. Max owned and operated Cruse Meat Processing and the Farmers Livestock Sell Barn in Rimertown.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Tracy A. Cruse, Fred O. Cruse, Rev. Guy C. Cruse and Kermit L. Cruse; and two sisters, Mavis C. Cline and Pansy C. Owens.

Mr. Cruse is survived by his wife, Ruth Burton Cruse; two sons, Max Edward "Eddie" Cruse, Jr. and Mark W. Cruse, both of Concord; and two grandsons, Jeremiah Stephen Cruse and Nicolas Elijah Cruse.

Memorials may be sent to Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, 4500 Rimer Road, Concord, NC, 28025; Cold Water Lutheran Church 1725 Gold Hill Road, Concord, NC, 28025; or to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.