April 25, 2024

Gus Joseph Crump, 100, died October 10, 2015 at Brookdale Senior Living, Dodge City. He was born on August 2, 1915 in Walsenburg, CO, the son of Joseph and Sophia (Fartarel) Crump. 

Gus attended school in Walsenburg CO and graduated in 1933. In 1938 he married Irene McAllister. They later divorced. After working various jobs in Colorado, he moved to Dodge City and worked at the new Silver Spur Lodge owned by J.L Hart. Five years later he went to work as the Office Manager for Dr. B.C. Champlin at the Dodge City Veterinary Clinic and worked there for 20 years. 

On August 6, 1962, he married Mildred Le (Harvey) Hoover. She preceded him in death on August 31, 2003. 

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Dodge City. He was a very active member in the community, serving as the past President of the Boot Hill Saddle Club, past President of the Kansas Western Horsemen’s Association, member of the Board of Directors of the National Little Britches Rodeo Association and President of the Coronado Car Club of Dodge City. Gus also served as a Deputy Marshal of the Dodge City Marshals Posse, holding badge Number 2 under the leadership of former Marshal of Dodge City, Kenneth House. As Deputy Marshal he was honored to meet President John F. Kennedy in Dodge City and was invited, along with the Posse, to ride in his Inaugural Parade in Washington D.C. He was instrumental in establishing the Dodge City’s Little Britches Rodeo in the early 1960’s and the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo. In 2011 Gus was inducted into the Dodge City Round Up Hall of Fame. 

Gus is survived by two brothers, Lee Crump of Walsenburg and Bill Crump of Lander, WY; two sons Larry Crump and wife Janet of Pueblo West, CO and Gary Crump and wife Dorothy of Pueblo West, CO; two step daughters Lana Gaye Hoover of Seattle, WA and Pamela Burnside-Hoover of West Plains, MO. He is also survived by five grand-children, eight great grandchildren, five great great grandchildren and three great great great grandchildren. Gus is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mildred; and grand daughter, Andrea Brush-Hoover. Gus was also a Special Grandpa to Michelle Smith and her family, Dodge City, Kansas. 

Funeral service will be held Thursday October 15, 2015 at 10:00 am at the First United Methodist Church Dodge City with Rev. Jerre Nolte presiding. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Montezuma, Kansas. Visitation will be Wednesday October 14, 2015 at Ziegler Funeral Chapel from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. 

The family suggests donations to the Ford County Humane Society in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel 1901 N. 14th Ave Dodge City, Kansas 67801.