Ranger Exes Memorial - Others

Elva Larson ELVA JAMES CRUSE LARSON was born June 27, 1902 and died Aug. 16, 1999. Burial was at Liberty City Cemetery in Liberty, TX. Her parents, Charlie & Fannie James had four daughters and one son. Elva grew up in Shepherd, TX, and later attended Kidd Key College in Sherman, TX. After college and while teaching school, she met and married Oscar Cruse in 1925. Living in Hull, TX, she and Oscar had three children, Peggy, Deanie and Dan. Oscar died at an early age in 1940. Elva and the children then moved to Liberty, TX, where she owned and operated the House of Flowers for several years. Through relatives in Palo Pinto County, Elva met Al Larson of Ranger on a fall deer hunt in 1951. Al and Elva were married in 1952 and Elva moved to Ranger. In the 47 years she lived in Ranger, Elva will be remembered for her sharp wit, determined nature and quick mind. She was very active in the 1920 Club and the Columbia Study Club. An avid reader, Elva’s reputation as a reviewer of books will be a legacy. She continued to present book reviews we past her 90th birthday. She loved to “debate” with her friends and to win at the bridge table. She was proud of her Texas heritage and had a keen sense of Texas History. A long-time member of St. Rita’s Parish in Ranger, she wrote a complete history of the church and spearheaded an effort to have the church granted a Texas historical marker. Elva was preceded in death by her husbands, Oscar Cruse & Al Larson. Also, by her sisters, Leora Clancy, Olive Clements, Mertis Kennedy, and her brother Ray James. Also preceding her in death were a daughter, Deanie Cox of Temple and a great grandson Justin Dean Cox of Grapevine. At the time of her death, she is survived by her daughter, Peggy Inzer and husband Slim of Gretna, LA.; son, Dan Cruse and wife Margie of Dallas and her son-in-law Travis Cox of Temple. Gladys Crawley of Ranger and Fred Larson and wife Barbara of Waco have enjoyed Elva’s love for the many years since Elva married their father. Additionally, she is survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.