Jay Rusty Crutcher

Jay Rusty Crutcher, born June 13, 1951, passed away on August 22,2025 after a courageous battle with metastatic prostate cancer. He was the grateful son of Hallie Fern and LeRoy Crutcher, and grandson of Lottie and Jay Hunt. He is survived by his loving partner Ellen Marshall, his sister Sharon Petty, his brother-in-law David Petty and his sweet Beagle, Darwin.

He was an accomplished composer, saxophonist, producer and educator, known for his extensive body of work in music recording, film scoring and music education spanning more than three decades. He released ten albums and numerous soundtracks that have gained global recognition since 1988. His work as a composer and performer has seen him collaborate with a diverse array of artists including Alphonse Mouzon, Eddie Daniels, Ronnie Laws, Chris Calloway, Asleep at the Wheel, and the Coasters. In 1988 he created his well-known “Sacred Sites” series of 6 albums starting with “Machu Picchu Impressions” and ending with his final album “Oracle of Delphi” in 2022.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Music Theory/Composition from Texas State University, and a postgraduate Pedagogy of Music Theory certificate from the University of Kentucky. He taught at multiple institutions including Texas State University, University of Kentucky and Wake Forest University, focusing on music theory, aural skills, orchestration, and saxophone performance.

He was also a multi-award-winning composer, earning three Telly Awards for outstanding film soundtracks for NOAA documentaries. His soundtrack for “Beneath the Rainbow Bridge” premiered at the International Santa Barbara Film Festival. Prior to his death he scored “Forces of Change, the Story of Glacier National Park and Preserve.”

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Santa Fe Animal Shelter, Espanola Humane, PETA, and Lighthouse for the Blind.

Please join us for a memorial service to remember Rusty on October 9, 2025 at 11am at Rivera Family Funeral Home.