He attended Louisville High School. His classmates voted him Mr. Louisville High School, Most Handsome, Most Likeable, Most Athletic, and Most Likely to Succeed. Allowed only one Senior Superlative, true to form, he chose Most Athletic. Upon graduating, the three sport star was widely recruited to play football by prestigious universities such as Alabama, Notre Dame, Auburn, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Arkansas, LSU, and Georgia. He chose Mississippi State University, receiving a full scholarship. He received All-American Honors in football. He was recruited by the Washington Redskins.
With 5 brothers serving in the military, he chose to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. He proudly served our country for thirty years, 20 active and 10 in the reserves. Mr. Crowson served in Vietnam from 1967 – 1968. He volunteered to go to allow his brothers to come home. Exposure to Agent Orange resulted in several health issues.
Mr. Crowson was a member in good standing in the William T. Bain Masonic Lodge. He has served as a Mason since 1958. Upon retiring from the Marine Corps, he served the state of North Carolina as a licensed examiner for the Board of Heating and Plumbing Licenses.
Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Joyce Stewart Crowson; daughters, Lana Crowson Stephenson (Charles), Jan Crowson Williams (Carl), all of Raleigh and Rhonda Crowson Partin (Napier) of Smithfield; grandchildren, Kimberly Stephenson Ford (Brad) of Willow Spring, Jennifer Williams Moore (Kevin) of Raleigh, Todd Atkinson (Robin) of Garner and Fallon Stephenson Jones (Matthew) of Clayton; great-grandchildren, Jessica, Stephen, Mason, Devin, Bryson, Savanna, Colton and Ella Ford, Maci Atkinson, Micah Moore, and Presley and Blaine Jones, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his 9 siblings.
The family will have a private family graveside service at Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery, officiated by the Rev. Geary T. Walton of Mississippi.
Donations in memory of Mr. Crowson to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl., Memphis, TN 38105 would be greatly appreciated.
Special thanks to Heartland Hospice, the VA, and Liberty Healthcare-Access for the phenomenal care. Mr. Crowson will be greatly missed and forever loved.