Russell Lee Crupe, Jr., 32, of Avella, died Monday, July 23, 2012.He was born September 16, 1979, in Washington, son of Russell L. Crupe, Sr. and Heidi Dawn Fiscus Crupe of Avella.Mr. Crupe graduated from Avella High School in 1998. He was a lieutenant and director of field operations for NSA Security Forces, Inc. He was formerly dock lead at Sears at Washington and South Hills.Mr. Crupe served two years of active duty in the Navy and, for the last six years, was a member of the Army National Guard and Army Reserves. During his time in the Guard, he served a tour of duty in Iraq as a combat engineer and earned E-5 pay grade. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with star, Army Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with device, Combat Action Badge, and Driver and Mechanic Badge with clasp.Mr. Crupe was a member of Jefferson Avenue United Methodist Church, VFW 927, and American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post 175.He was a member of local roller hockey teams and dart ball and pool leagues. Mr. Crupe was an avid reader and enjoyed hunting, fishing and landscaping.Surviving, in addition to his parents, are a brother, Preston A. Crupe (Victoria) of Glenville, New York; a sister, Sarah Lynn Combs (Jimmy) of Avella; grandparents, Vic and Doris Fiscus of Bethel Park; and nieces, Samantha, Melissa and Jessica Combs, and Emily and Rachael Crupe; an uncle, William Crupe (Christy) of Gaithersburg, Maryland; three aunts, Sondra Aschenbrenner, of Baytown, Texas, Lorna Crupe of Avella, and Tami (Robert) Pugh of Fort Myers, Florida.Deceased are a niece, Clara Dawn Crupe; grandparents, Russell and Rachael Crupe; and two uncles, Richard L. “Butch” Crupe and Dennis Aschenbrenner.

Proceeds from the SGT Russell Crupe Jr. bracelet will be donated to Legacies Alive.