LONG-TIME FORMER CLERK, RUSBY CRITES, DIES AT 77

JACKSON - Rusby Crites was remembered Thursday as an honest politician, a loyal Democrat, devoted public servant, and a friend to all.

"His standards of conduct in his own life and in the office he ran here was always the highest," observed Rodney Miller, who succeeded Crites as Cape Girardeau County Clerk in 1979.

"He was a wonderful man, devoted to his job, who treated everyone the same who walked through the door," recalled Betty Hahs, a longtime employee of the clerk's office. "He never met a stranger."

Crites, 77, died Thursday morning at his home in Jackson. He served 20 years as county clerk, from 1959-1978.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at McCombs Funeral Chapel in Jackson. Visitation is from noon until 8 p.m. today.

Even after his retirement, Crites was a familiar site around the county courthouse and administrative building. He also could be seen at church suppers and events and at many auction sales around the county. Fishing, hunting and gardening were lifetime hobbies.

"He was always around," said former State Rep. Marvin Proffer. "He retired from being county clerk but did not retire from politics and life. He always had a good word for you. People like him you always remember. He was always around and always remembered his friends that's the great thing about Rusby.

"I will miss him. They don't make them like him anymore."

Cape Girardeau City Manager J. Ronald Fischer, who, as a former member of the county commission, worked with Crites for 10 years, said Crites was well respected by county clerks throughout the state.

Before Cape County became 2nd class in 1967, the county clerk essentially was the chief budget officer and top official in county government.

"Rusby did an excellent job performing his duties," said Fischer. "He was just a good guy, well-respected all over the state."

Judy Beussink, another longtime employee of the clerk's office, said Crites was a great person to work for and someone who cared about people. "He was very good to work for," she said. "There's nobody like him."

After overseeing the county's election process during his two decades in office, Crites continued to observe to spend election nights watching the returns even after retirement.

Hahs and Beussink, who still work in the clerk's office after they were first hired under Crites in September 1965, both recalled the only election he ever missed the national primary in August 1976.

On July 24, 1976, while working on his farm, Crites suffered a major heart attack, the first of four he would suffer over a period of three weeks. He wasn't expected to survive.

Elections always are stressful for the clerk's office and Hahs recalled sitting in stunned silence for several hours after hearing of Crites' condition.

But on primary election night Aug. 3, Crites still managed to call the office to see how things were going despite his weakened condition, and by the November general election he was back on the job.

Although Crites made a strong recovery from the multiple heart attacks, he narrowly dodged death on several other occasions due to heart problems and a bout with cancer. "He was living on borrowed time and he knew it," said Hahs.

County Collector Harold Kuehle, who took office in 1967, said that despite Crites' health problems, he maintained his zeal for life and love for his family and friends. "It was all a bonus for him," said Kuehle, of the last few years.

Crites also was remembered as a fiercely loyal Democrat, although he never let partisan politics interfere with his duties of serving the people.

"I think Democrats and Republicans both appreciated him in the county," said Proffer. "There was no doubt in your mind that he was a Democrat through and through, but he was always there to assist and help anybody who needed it."

County Auditor H. Weldon Macke and Kuehle, both Republicans, said they've always enjoyed a good relationship with Crites.

Macke recalled that when he first came to the courthouse in 1969, he had ample suggestions for new ways to operate his office.

But Crites often took him aside to say: "We don't do it that way." Despite the "old-school, new-school" clashes, they always were able to work things out, Macke said.

"Rusby was a good guy and I really enjoyed working with him," he said. "We were of opposite parties, but we got along well. I don't think I ever had a cross word with him."

Kuehle said he too had a high regard for Crites. "Like any officeholder you work with over a period of time, you get to know the person personally as well as professionally," Kuehle said. "Rusby and I got along real well."

Crites lost his first race for public office in 1956 when he ran for assessor, but captured the clerk's office two years later. After his heart attacks in 1976, Crites decided to retire and spend more time with his hobbies.

Two present Democratic officeholders - Circuit Clerk Charles P. Hutson and Miller - say Crites was instrumental in getting them to run for county office initially.

"Rusby was the one who encouraged me to get involved and run for political office," said Hutson. He has been a friend of mine for years and years."

Miller said Crites was a close friend and responsible for his being elected clerk. In 1978 Crites declined to seek re-election and instead threw his support behind Miller, who he declared well-qualified to do the job.

"I think his support is a big reason I won," said Miller. "It meant a great deal to me personally to have his support."

Miller, who has a photo of himself and Crites together at the annual county clerks convention held here last fall, recalled that Crites was a politician "that you could be proud to say was your friend."