Robert Milton Crout

Published 5:00 am Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Funeral services for Robert Milton Crout will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church with public visitation at 1 p.m.

            Mr. Crout, 83, of Yazoo City, passed peacefully at his home Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. 

            Predeceased by his parents, Ruth Amanda Ewing and Robert Clayton Crout, he was born Jan. 26, 1932 in D’Lo, Miss.

            After graduating from high school, and receiving the Eagle Scout award, Bob attended Copiah Lincoln Junior College. He continued his education and received a Civil Engineering degree at Mississippi State University in 1954. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany. Upon returning home, he was employed in the oil exploration department of Mobile Oil Corporation, then continued on as the founding partner of CLK Corporation in New Orleans. There he pioneered significant oil and gas discoveries in the Gulf of Mexico.  CLK was later featured in Fortune Magazine as one of the top exploration firms in America.

            Mr. Crout married Glenda Spoon in June of 1958. They had two sons, Robert Michael Crout and the late Paul Williams Crout, and daughter, Melanie Ann Crout. Later in life he married Bettye Brasfield Raney of Yazoo City, where they made their home. Upon retiring he and Bettye enjoyed many years of traveling and   playing golf in The MS. Seniors Golf Association.  He was a member of the First United Methodist Church. 

            His blended family includes his wife, Bettye; her daughters, Leigh Kaufman the late Elizabeth Raney, and Scottie Pabin.

            Bob was a quiet person with a keen wit and many interests, including being an avid reader, painting, visiting with family and friends, and enjoying solving algebra equations as a pastime.

            Survivors include his wife, Bettye Crout; sister, Clayton Nagle; children, Michael Crout, Melanie Crout; step-daughters Leigh Kaufman, Scottie Pabin; grandchildren, Marisa Crout, Andrew Ferniz, Jodi Ferniz, Max Pabin, and Jay Pabin; nieces and nephew, Julie Dickson, Amanda Nagle Chicoine and Clay Nagle.

            Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Yazoo City Branch, care of Bank of Yazoo City.