Robert Gene Crotts

Robert Gene Crotts, 83, passed away on October 26, 2016 at Garden Valley Retirement Center in Garden City. He was born on January 9, 1933 at his country home near Partridge to Russell Lawrence and Elizabeth (Burke) Crotts.

Robert served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955. He attended Hutchinson Community College upon his discharge from the Army. Robert finished his education at Fort Hays State University, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Range Management in 1959. It was while at Fort Hays that he met Carolyn Pearl Hager of Macksville.

Robert and Carolyn were united in marriage on August 25, 1960 in Hutchinson. He and Carolyn made their home in Cimarron in 1961. Robert was a lifelong farmer and a rural mail carrier from 1981 to 1998. He was a member of the NRA, Kansas State Rifle Association, American Legion, and the Kansas Rural Letter Carrier’s Association. Robert was an avid sports fan and longtime Cimarron Bluejay supporter. 

Robert is survived by his wife, Carolyn Crotts of the home; seven children, Diane Miller of Falcon, Colorado, Johnny Crotts of Orlando, Florida, Jeffrey Crotts of Burns Flat, Oklahoma, Rosie Ediger of Alpharetta, Georgia, Sandy Crotts of Sacramento, California, Sharon Kelly of Parker, Colorado, and David Crotts of Emporia; two sisters, Betty Kee of Hutchinson and Melinda Hovious of Wichita; 14 grandchildren, Johnathan, Jessica, Jennifer, Christa, Catrina, Johnny, Charla, Cara, Brooke, Brenna, Rachel, Kade, Aaron, and Avery; and eight great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Herbert and Lawrence Crotts.

Funeral service will be held at Cimarron Christian Church on Monday October 31, 2016 at 10:30 AM with Pastor David Johnson presiding. Burial will follow at Cimarron Cemetery. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel of Cimarron on Sunday October 30, 2016 from 12:00 – 6:00PM with the family receiving friends from 2:00 – 5:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church of Cimarron or the Cimarron High School Booster Club in care of Swaim Funeral Home – 1901 Sixth Ave – Dodge City, Kansas 67801. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.