John Marvin Crowe

After a seven year battle fighting idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, John Marvin Crowe, Jr. passed away on November 7, 2011. Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 10, 2011 in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Abilene at 2:00 pm. Dr. Phil Christopher will officiate. Burial will follow at Elmwood Memorial Park directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd. Visitation with family will be held Wednesday, November 9, 2011 from 6:00-7:30 pm, at the home of Jed and Becky Crowe, 1433 Tanglewood Rd. John was born on February 16, 1934 in Herrin, Illinois to Edna Earl and John Marvin Crowe, Sr. He was a 1952 graduate of Abilene High School where he met Betty Ross Thornton. They were married August 12, 1955, and he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1956 from Hardin-Simmons University. While in the HSU ROTC program, John was a member of the Pershing Rifles, received the Distinguished Military Student Award, and was the first HSU ROTC student to be given a regular Army commission. He served in the U.S. Army as an airplane and helicopter pilot. He was stationed at Ft. Knox, Kentucky and Ft. Hood, Texas, and served at flying schools in San Marcos, Mineral Wells, Ft. Rucker, Alabama, Ft. Stewart, Georgia, and Ft. Eustis, Virginia. In 1960, the family returned to Abilene where he began working for Thornton's Department Store and then Rose Construction Company. In 1984, John started John Crowe and Associates, a construction company now known as The Crowe Group. He was a man of integrity and honor. We all know he was a man who wanted things done right on the job and would stand for nothing less than the best. He built many buildings around Abilene taking pride in each job he was awarded. Some of those projects include the renovation of the First Baptist Church Sanctuary, and the construction of the Skiles Building and Holland Health Science Building at Hardin-Simmons University, Hendrick Health Club, Patty Hanks School of Nursing, Longhorn Dining Facility at Dyess AFB, and currently Martinez Elementary School for AISD. John was a quiet philanthropist, not only helping organizations but helping those individuals in need as well. In 2008, HSU awarded the J. Keeter Alumni Service Award to John. He also received the Agape Award from Mend-A-Child in the 1990's, along with being recognized in 2000 by the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council for his work with the NCCIL. John also served many years as President and Treasurer of the West Texas Chapter of Associated General Contractors of America. Poppa John loved entertaining the family on annual trips to the beach and the occasional trip to Disney World. Family gatherings were important even though he usually sat quietly enjoying the enthusiasm of his large family. The last family gathering was in his honor, Poppa John Day at Cowboys Stadium enjoying the Cowboys win over St. Louis with his kids and grandkids. Through the seven year battle with pulmonary fibrosis he never complained. He fought until the end to remain normal still talking about going to work every day. Thank you to family, friends and Dr. Keith Robinson for their unwavering care and support the last few years. John was a member of First Baptist Church in Abilene. John's grandsons will serve as pallbearers and the employees of The Crowe Group will serve as honorary pallbearers. John was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws, Cleon and Shella Thornton. John is survived by his wife Betty (Poppy) of the home, five children, John and Tamra Crowe, Jacksonville, Florida, David and Kimberly Crowe, New Braunfels, Andy and Sara (Crowe) Burleson, Midland, Timothy and Tammy Crowe, Abilene, and Jed and Becky Crowe, Abilene. Grandchildren Lindsey and Justin Crowe, Abilene, Missy and Ryan Crowe, St. Augustine, Florida, Matt Crowe and Alex Crowe, New Braunfels, Amanda (Burleson) and Andy Watkins, Columbia, SC, Elizabeth (Burleson) and Garrett Martin, Argyle, Kathleen (Burleson) and Reece Cook, Farmington, NM, Solon Burleson, Midland, Elliott Crowe, Zach Crowe, Laura Crowe, Ashley Crowe, all of Abilene, Leslie and Dakota Moncrief, The Colony, Kendra and Kenneth Gabriel, Christine Crowe and Nathan Crowe, all of Abilene. Great-grandchildren, Marly Gabriel, Mason and Mallory Moncrief. He is also survived by siblings Polina and James Crowe, Anne and Jerry Solomon, Alice and Joe Myers, Ellen and Jack Myers, and sister-in-law Shella Lea and John Massey and brother-in-law Carolyn and Bill Thornton. Memorial contributions may be made to the donor's favorite charity.