Appleby, Texas - A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, November 29, 2025 at Appleby City Hall located at 14760 North US Hwy 59 in Nacogdoches, Texas. The family will greet friends and family beginning at 1:00pm prior to the service.

Bart was the friend that a friend wants to have. He never walked away from anyone that needed him and was willing to give everything he had to someone that needed it more than he did. He was generous, kind, loyal and absolutely loved being around people. He was often called a "teddy bear" or a "gentle giant" referring to his stature and big heart. Bart made life what he wanted it to be and was successful in finding a joy that most people do not discover in a full lifetime. He was a hard worker and had spent the last 7 years with Appleby Natural Gas, a job that he dearly loved, and was mentioned amongst most people as "The Gas Man". The people he served became like family and he enjoyed serving the community he loved so dearly.

Bart attended Huntsville High School, graduating with the class of 1996. Bart and Linda Lomax were sweethearts in their early lives and after going their separate ways, but recently finding themselves single again, they reunited. Their love was rekindled and they both agreed that to each other, they were "the one that got away". Linda filled Bart's life with more happiness than he had experienced in many years and they had just begun planning the rest of their lives together. Bart loved his friends and family and wanted nothing more than to be surrounded by those closest to him. He and his sister have always dreamed of carrying on the tradition of cattle raising that was passed down by their grandparents. He was fortunate enough to have accomplished that dream and enjoying the time he spent in the pastures working his cattle quickly became his happy place.

Bart will forever be remembered as the person to call when you needed a helping hand or just a friend to talk to and the end of the conversations most likely than not, ended with a humble and meaningful "I love you kid".

Bart is survived by his parents, Larry & Jan Cruse and Sarah Lynch; girlfriend, Linda Lomax; sisters, Penny Bonner & husband Tyler, Virginia Sanches & husband Bubba, Candy Prater and husband Rick and Stacy Stringer and his brothers, Matthew Cruse & wife Celena and Bradley Countryman & wife Sara.

He is preceded in death by his father, Phil Lynch and grandparents, Travis & Bennie Wilson and George & Catherine Lynch.