Randal Owen Crutcher

Randal Owen Crutcher, 74, Jonesborough, passed peacefully, Thursday, February 8, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.
Randy was born April 5, 1949, in Birmingham, AL, and was raised in Johnson City, TN. He was a son to the late Owen Lee and Doris Morrow Crutcher. Randy was a 1967 graduate of Science Hill High School, where he met his life’s sweetheart, Elizabeth Ann Torbett.Randy was an Eagle Scout and a champion football player, accepting a football scholarship to The University of Kentucky. He later studied at East Tennessee State University and The University of Tennessee, Memphis, graduating with honors from The College of Pharmacy. Randy began working part time at the Johnson City Memorial Hospital pharmacy during high school under his father Owen, also a pharmacist, before joining him full time after earning his degree. Together they opened the pharmacy at the new Johnson City Medical Center where Randy spent the majority of his career. Randy gave 50 years of virtuous healthcare service to his community. He was proud to pass his commitment to care along to his daughter Mary Frances, a third-generation pharmacist. Through his five-decade career, Randy made many life-long and cherished relationships that continued until his death.He was a founding member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Randy’s Christian faith was paramount in his life, and laid the foundation for his character as a man, husband, father and proud grandfather.Randy was a lifelong learner as evidenced in the many hobbies he mastered through the years including SCUBA diving, fly fishing, photography, carpentry, marksmanship, and even coaching a championship pee-wee basketball team. He often recalled his grandfather, Col. Walter Leon Morrow, and his high school football coach, Bob May, fondly, saying “other than his father they were the two most influential men in his life”. Randy loved to dance and was frequently drenched with sweat at celebrations from his dance floor activities. He was a man that was truly more concerned with the needs of others over his own. Randy was bright, compassionate and as faithful as they come. An excellent cook of all things comfort food related; a skill learnt through time in his mom’s kitchen. He was passionate about The Vols and enjoyed keeping up with all things UT related.In addition to his parents, Randy was preceded in death by his sister Sandra McGaha. He is survived by his wife of 52 years Ann Crutcher; their children, Mary Frances Matherne and husband Craig of Johnson City, Randal Owen "Andy" Crutcher, Jr of Jonesborough, and Ryan Torbett Crutcher of Jonesborough; grandsons, Jacob Ryan, Luke Michael, Nicholas Owen, and Zachary Paul Matherne; sister, Charlotte Malone and husband Gordon; brother, Keith Crutcher and wife Marty; brothers-in- law, Mike McGaha, Tom Torbett and wife Polly; special cousins, Earl Gibson and wife Betty, Dorian Shine and husband Bill; several nieces, nephews and so many cherished friends.The funeral service celebrating Randy’s life will be conducted Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 4:00 P.M., from the East Chapel of Appalachian Funeral Home, with Dr. Andy Wyatt, officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the funeral service in the East Parlor of the funeral home.The graveside committal service will be held prior to the funeral service Thursday at 11:00 A.M. in Edgefield United Methodist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his grandsons Jake, Luke, Nick and Zack Matherne, dear family friends, Will Fleenor and Corey Jones. Those planning to attend are to meet at the cemetery by 10:50 A.M. Thursday.In-lieu-of flowers, memorials may be made in Randy’s honor to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2343 Knob Creek Rd, Johnson City 37604 or Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Office of Development, PO Box 290369, 525 Royal Parkway, Nashville, TN 37229-0369 or online at VanderbiltHealth.org/giving.Read Obituary