Louis Leon Cruse was born in Sparks, Kansas to Isaac Leonard Cruse and Fannie Lee (Hammond) Cruse on July 04, 1919. He went to be with his Lord January 22, 2018, at the age of 98.He attended school in Sparks until the 9th grade and then went to work in the tobacco fields to help his father support the family until he joined the CC Camp in 1936.

In March 1941 he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he became a motor sergeant in the all black 9th Calvary Regiment of the 2nd Calvary Division. He was soon promoted to the mechanized unit where at 22 years old he was in charge of a fleet of army trucks which transported supplies to the front lines in World War II. Louis was one of the nation’s surviving Buffalo Soldiers.

On May 10, 1947 Louis was married to Ruth Anna Augusta Foster (deceased Jan 2008) and to this union was born a daughter, Frances A. Coffee and a son, Nolan L. Cruse, Sr. (deceased Oct 2013).

His work experience included working for farmers, Armour Meatpacking, General Motors and the VA until his retirement in 1983. After retirement he worked at the bank as a part-time courier in Leavenworth, Kansas.

Louis joined White Cloud Church of God in Christ in 1947. He faithfully attended as a deacon and Sunday school superintendent for many years. Louis was a very talented guitar player and loved to play in church. Louis also had a deep love for mechanics and cars.

Left to cherish his memories are his daughter, Frances Coffee; (Wilbur Coffee, Jr.), granddaughters, Catherine Hopkins, Melanie Coffee Hesselberg; grandson, Nolan L. Cruse, Jr.; great-granddaughter Jasmine Coffee and great-grandsons Adrian Coffee, Logan Hesselberg and Ethan Hesselberg. Siblings: Virgil Cruse, Norma Shane, Priscilla Kirby and June Gaskins; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many relatives and friends. Louis was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and two sisters.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday February 3, 2018 with family visiting with friends at 9:00 a.m. at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, 124 S. 7th St., Hiawatha, Ks. Military Honors a courtesy of the Brown County Veterans Honor Guard.  A light lunch will follow the celebration. Burial services will follow at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Sunrise Cemetery in Leavenworth, KS.