Durwood E. Cratch
April 28, 1939 – May 6, 2016

Mr. Durwood Eugene Cratch, age 77, a former resident of the Wharton Station Community, Washington, died Friday, May 6, 2016 at Golden Living Center in Greenville.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM Monday, May 9, 2016 at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 PM conducted by Rev. Scott Setzer and Rev. Lee Hendricks. Burial will be private.

The family will receive friends at other times at the home of his sister, Stella Stancill, 4221 Market Street, Ext., Washington.

Mr. Cratch was born in Beaufort County on April 28, 1939. He was the son of the late Lloyd Durwood Cratch and Virginia Stamper Cratch. Mr. Cratch graduated from Washington High School and Atlantic Christian College. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. Mr. Cratch worked for Texasgulf in Aurora, Texas and Dakar, Senegal. Later, he owned and operated Cratch’s Grocery for several years. Mr. Cratch owned Charlie Tom’s Restaurant in Washington, worked as a salesman for Carolina Model Homes, and was an usher for the Kinston Indians before he retired.

Mr. Cratch was active in civic affairs for many years. He was a member of the Second Baptist Church, a former Beaufort County Commissioner, member of the Southern Albemarle Association, the Wharton Station Ruritan Club and the Clark’s Neck Fire Department.  Mr. Cratch served on the Beaufort County Fire Commission for 22 years. During his time on the Fire Commission, several fire departments were established.

Mr. Cratch married Linda Jarvis, who preceded him in death, July 29, 1998. Later, he married Mary Elizabeth Turnage, who preceded him in death, August 12, 2006.

Mr. Cratch is survived by three sisters, Carrie C. Brown, Andria C. Gooch and husband, Ernest, Stella Stancill, all of Washington; four stepchildren, W. Bailey “Bill” Turnage Jr. of Farmville, Beth Ann Avery of Winterville, Terry T. Edwards and husband, Reggie of Grimesland, Mary Donna T. Stancill and husband, Milando of Winterville; four grandchildren, Kaitlin Taylor of Seattle, WA, Aaron B. Foster of Ayden, Preston and Matthew Howard of Tibbie, Alabama; three step-grandchildren, Jedediah Stancill, Kathy Price, Cassie Fuller; four great-grandchildren, Jennifer Martin, Lexi Stancill, Memphis Stancill, Gracie Price; sisters-in-law, Carol C. Mayo and husband, Wayne, Bonnie Cratch, all of Washington and a host of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and his wives, Mr. Cratch was preceded in death by a daughter, Jennifer C. McDowell; two brothers, Lloyd Swindell Cratch and William Harvey Cratch and step-grandchild, Daniel Fuller.

While flowers are appreciated, memorials may be made in memory of Linda Cratch to the Marion L. Shepard Cancer Center, 1209 Brown Street, Washington, N.C. 27889 or in memory of Mary Cratch to the Leo Jenkins Cancer Center, 600 Moye Boulevard, N.C. 27834.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & crematory in Washington is honored to serve the Cratch family.