WESTERLO — James Thomas Croote Sr., a Korean War veteran and the father of four children, died on Thursday, May 27, 2021, at Albany Medical Center. He was 90.

 He was born on April 17, 1931 in Guilderland, a son of the late Lawton and Marietta Lambert Croote. He lived most of his life in Westerlo.

He was an Air Force veteran of the Korean War. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Westerlo, married the former Faye Brush, and together they started their family. He worked at Albany Airport, for the former Walter Motor Company, as a partner at the former Brush Service Station in Westerlo, at General Electric in Schenectady, and retired from the Albany County Highway Department.

Mr. Croote was a longstanding member of Plumbers Local 128, and was a member of Greenville American Legion Post 291. He and his wife volunteered many hours of service for the Helderberg Seniors meal program at Hiawatha Grange. He enjoyed square dancing, singing, and playing his guitar, and working on cars.

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    James Thomas Croote Sr. is survived by his wife of 65 years, Faye Brush Croote; by four children, James T. Croote Jr., Connie Kudlack and her husband, Ed, Nancy Kudlack and her husband, Cliff, and Barbara Kudlack and her husband, Daniel; by six grandchildren, Edward Kudlack Jr., Amanda Barkley, Jared Barkley and his wife, Korinne, Danielle Kudlack, Jennifer Alund and her husband, Eddie, and Michael Kudlack; by five great-grandchildren; by two sisters, Gertrude Brush and her husband, Chet, and Isabella Adinolfi and her husband, Jerry; and by many nieces and nephews.

His parents, Lawton and Marietta Lambert Croote, died before him, as did his brother, Alan Croote, whose wife, Susan, survives.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, June 1, from 10 a.m. until noon at A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home at 4898 State Route 81 in Greenville.  A funeral service will be conducted at noon by Pastor Will Balta, followed by burial with military honors in the Westerlo Rural Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to South Westerlo Congregational Christian Church, 282 County Route 405, Greenville, NY 12083.