Gene Cox Crume

Gene Cox Crume was born in Bardstown, Kentucky on October 24, 1941. He passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. He was the youngest child of Jeston Grover Crume and Anna Cox Crume. Gene chose a career in education, and became a distinguished educator serving as teacher, coach, vice principal and principal. Those who know Gene, know his family was always his first love. Gene was a wonderful husband and father. He and Hannah Alexander Crume married on November 22, 1964, celebrating nearly 54 years together.
Gene and Hannah have four children and nine grandchildren. Gene Cox Crume, Jr., married to Cindy Smith Crume, and their children Alexandra Kay Crume and Gene Cox Crume III; Lee Alexander Crume and his children Elizabeth Ashley Simmons, Samuel Harrison Crume and Peyton Elise Crume; Daniel Jeston Crume, married to Jennifer Greer Crume, and their children Coleman Jeston Crume and Cade Daniel Crume; Emily Paige Crume Deitz is married to Brian Lee Deitz and their children are Briley Paige Deitz and Eliannah Jane Deitz.

Gene was passionate about his children, grandchildren, and family. He and Hannah rarely missed a football, basketball, swimming, soccer, choir or music concert, scout's meeting, or dance recital. Gene was especially passionate about football. Having coached, he loved to watch his son Dan coach and attended nearly every game of his 29-year coaching career. Gene's love extended beyond his children to those in his extended family and community. Gene attended banquets and yet more events providing love and guidance as a father figure.

Gene grew-up on a farm in Nelson County, Kentucky. He was the youngest of seven siblings – J.E., Edith, Edna, Robert, Jackie, and Ray. He attended Western Kentucky Teacher's College. Prior to graduating he gained valuable life experiences including serving in the U.S. Army and as one of the earliest staff members of the Stephen Foster Story. Gene started his career in Bowling Green where he served as a teacher at Delaware Elementary and then a teacher and coach at T.C. Cherry School. In 1971, Hannah and Gene moved to Owensboro where he taught at Apollo Junior High School. He then went to Daviess County Middle School as Vice Principal. In 1981, he went to Daviess County High School to serve as Vice Principal, and he returned to Daviess County Middle School as Principal in 1995 staying until retiring in 2000. After he retired he continued to serve as a substitute teacher.
Gene was loved and appreciated by his students, teachers, staff and fellow administrators. As a school administrator the first two people he hired were the cafeteria manager and the lead custodian. He believed a school with good food and well taken care of facilities allowed the teachers to teach and the students to learn. He emphasized that every person who worked at a school had an important role to serve. He was an innovator as well. He asked his teachers to ride a school bus on a tour of the neighborhoods where the students they served lived. He took a creative approach to the school lunch experience that included playing music in the cafeteria and providing better food options. Gene inspired spirit days to motivate the school and students, and hosted talent shows that remain legendary to many who participated and enjoyed them.

Gene was a devout Christian and lived out his faith in every aspect of his life serving as a teacher, leader, choir member, and counselor. He marked-up numerous copies of the Bible with a highlighter and pen doing his daily devotions, and he enjoyed reading scripture and serving the God he loves.

In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to the Samuel and Emma Alexander Education Scholarship Fund care of the College Heights Foundation at Western Kentucky University, 1906 College Heights Boulevard. Bowling Green, KY 42101. Gene's education career was inspired by Hannah's parents, Samuel and Emma Alexander, both of whom graduated from Western Kentucky University.


The funeral service for Mr. Crume will be 10 am Monday, July 23, 2018 at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory. Visitation will be from 1 until 5pm on Sunday, July 22, 2018 at the funeral home. The comittal service will be private.

Messages of condolence may be left at www.glennfuneralhome.com