Leonard Crump Csm, U.S. Army (Retired)

Leonard “Butch” Warren Crump was born on July 15, 1950 in Boonville, Missouri. Butch had four siblings, one of which was Michael, whom he was very close with. He was raised by his surrogate parents Helen and Emery Monroe who took pride in providing the best opportunities for him to succeed in life. As a child, one of his favorite memories included working at his father Emery’s trucking company, where he was able to learn the in’s and out’s of the business. He absolutely adored Emery and was appreciative of the life lessons that he taught him.

Butch was educated through Boonville School District. In 1968 he graduated from Boonville High School. Following high school, Butch sacrificed his life for our country, enlisting in the United States Army in 1969. He began his journey stationed in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Over the duration of his career he was reassigned to several places including Vietnam and eventually Fitzsimmons where he would later retire. During his career in the Army, Butch was honored with many medals. He earned medals such as the national defense medal, Vietnam service medal, army commendation medal along with several others.

While in the Army, Butch attended and later graduated from the University of Missouri “Mizzou”. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. Butch continued his educational path focusing on radiation technology where he worked his way up to a Diagnostic Radiological Technologist. He would be responsible for training others who were entering this field. When Butch was stationed in Fitzsimmons, he met a nice young lady named Julie Joppy, little did they know, they would cross paths 40 years later. After experiencing the loss of their spouses, Julie and Butch supported each other through their losses and later began dating long distance. On September 23, 2011, the couple we joined in holy matrimony in Rockville, Maryland. Together they blended their families with their children, Kenny (Victoria), Shahidah (Kip), Leonard (Gwen), John (Bambi), Anthony (Rainita), and Jerome (Ashley). Butch and Julie’s unity was inevitable, and they ensured to always make the most of their time together. Whether it was traveling, hanging out with friends and family or just spending time with each other, they always enjoyed these experiences in unison.

To know Butch was to love him, he was a caring person who always took the time to listen. He found his niche working with the youth. He mentored the youth and gave the best guidance possible for success in life. His grandchildren, Blake, Emery, Japria, Kaila, Bryce, Elliott, Jailen, Alex, Jaeda, Jermoni, Jaida, Chloe, Zaiden, Jonea, Zohlee, Sebastian, Aubrie were an additional source of pride and joy; he was affectionately known to them as “ Papa”. Butch accomplished many things in life and was blessed to share these experiences in life. More importantly, he did so in humble submission to God. His life spoke for him and he did his best to live righteous every day of his life.

Butch passed away peacefully into the embrace of his Lord and Savior on September 28, 2022. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Julie Crump; children, Kenny (Victoria), Shahidah (Kip, Leonard (Gwen), John (Bambi), Anthony (Rainita), and Jerome (Ashley); 17 grandchildren; uncle, Phillip Warrick; best friend, Butch Elbert, many additional family members, and friends.