Dr. Samuel Warren Cruse passed away on Saturday, July 8, 2017 at the age of 69.
Sam was born on December 10, 1947 in Villa Rica, GA. He held a Juris Doctor degree from Woodrow Wilson College of Law as well as a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Georgia Southern University. While attending Georgia State University he was an officer and founding member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, served on the Inter-Fraternity Council, and was news editor of the Georgia State University Signal.
He worked in various positions in his beginning years including clerk for Trust Company Bank, Georgia State Trooper, Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent, and training officer for State of Georgia, Department of Corrections, and Department of Public Safety. Sam served in Washington, D.C. as 9th Congressional District Special Project Coordinator and Political Liaison for Ed Jenkins. During his years as Court Administrator for the Blue Ridge District, Sam was responsible for case management for five counties. While working with the U.S. Postal Service he was a Postal Inspector and Director of Human Resources for 180 post offices. Sam was an attorney for many years in the Augusta area and established Samuel W. Cruse, P.C. in 1993.
During the years, Sam also enjoyed working as an adjunct professor at Reinhardt College, Brenau College, Augusta State University, Georgia Southern University, and Southern Wesleyan University. He taught courses in Sociology, Psychology, Criminal Justice, and Education.
Dr. Cruse was preceded in death by his son, Jordan Samuel Cruse, and his parents, Warren King Cruse and Vivian Hembree Cruse. Survivors include a daughter, Heather Louise Tanner (Steve) and her mother Patsy Cain, and former wife Gloria Gaultney Cruse.
A memorial service will be held at 12:00 on Saturday, July 15, 2017 at Platt’s Funeral Home, Belair Road Chapel in Evans, GA with Rev. Dorna Adams officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Stevens Creek Community Church, 600 Stevens Creek Road, Augusta GA 30907 or the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas TX 75284.