Geraldine Rose Crouch

Geraldine (Geri) Baker Crouch, 89, a longtime time resident of Independence, Missouri, passed away on January 5, 2024.

Geri was born July 7, 1934, in Metropolis, Illinois. She was the fifth of eight children born to Henry Sherman Baker and Grace Henrietta (Reed) Baker. Her family moved to Kansas City when she was ten years old. She attended Ashland Elementary School and graduated from East High School. She met and fell in love with Jack Crouch her senior year in high school. They were set up on a blind date by her sister Audery. Their first date was a roller skating party the night before Thanksgiving.

After high school Geri attended William Jewell College where she was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta, a cheerleader, and basketball homecoming attendant. When Jack left the Marines they were married on August 19, 1955, at Kensington Avenue Baptist Church. They lived in Tulsa, where their daughter Rhonda was born, El Paso, and Denver for Jack’s career with Continental Airlines before returning to the Kansas City area and settling in Independence.

When Rhonda started school, Geri returned to college to finish her degree and fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher. She graduated from the University of Missouri at Kansas City. She later received a Masters and a Specialist from Central Missouri State University. Geri began her career teaching secondary physical education in the Kansas City School District. She also taught physical education at UMKC. Geri was passionate about helping children who had special needs and was one of the first Learning Disabilities and Behavioral Disorders teachers in the Kansas City area. She was the educational director at Western Missouri Mental Health Center and retired from the Raytown School District. Geri received multiple recognitions over the course of her life. She was a member of numerous professional organizations but talked little of her achievements.

Geri was a member of the Independence Pioneers Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Mary Paxton Study Club. Geri had many dear DAR friends. After she moved into the Princeton Assisted Living she always looked forward to calls, cards, and visits from her DAR friends.

Geri loved to travel and fortunately Jack worked for an airlines. Geri traveled all over the world and always had family and friends with her. She loved going anywhere from weekend float trips to exotic locations. Her favorite trips were end of school year Waikiki Beach with her daughter Rhonda, family and friend cruises, and any trip she took with her grandson Nick.

Geri will be remembered for her resiliency for anything is faced, generosity to all, loyalty and love for family and friends, and not being able to carry a tune. Her mother would often tell the story of when Geri was young. She would go over to the neighbors to sing. They would pay her a penny to stop singing. That did not stop Geri. She proudly used her voice to sing out the rest of her life.

Geri is preceded in death by her parents; brothers William Baker and Thomas Baker; sisters Maxine Petersen, Audery Collins, and Donna Welsh (a second mother to Rhonda). She is survived by her husband of 68 years Jack; daughter Rhonda Young (Scott); grandson Nicholas (fiancée Ashley Staton); great granddaughters Allison, Chloe, Emma, and Grace; and former daughter-in-law Kerri Hermann. Her surviving siblings include brother James Baker (Jerry), sister Marilyn Pruente, and sister-in-law Margaret Baker. She is also survived and loved by many nieces and nephews.

Geri loved animals and her house always had at least one cat and a few dogs through the years. Every cat and dog she had was her favorite and she could never turn down one in need. In lieu of flowers Geri requested donations to Wayside Waifs.