Ike McGowan Crews

He was born in Dallas, Texas, on August 9th, 1989. Ike graduated from St. Mark's School of Texas as a member of the Class of 2008, where he excelled in wrestling and football. After graduating high school, he spent a year completing an outdoor survival course in Utah, teaching English and studying archaeology in Peru, farming bananas in Australia, and traveling through Europe and Japan, among other adventures. He graduated from Davidson College in 2013 with an AB degree in History and a minor in Anthropology. Ike was a four-year member of the Davidson D-1 Varsity Wrestling team. He also earned a Master's degree in International Affairs from George Washington University in 2017.

Ike had recently returned to St. Marks, his alma mater, as a sixth grade Humanities teacher and loved coaching both wrestling and football. The previous year he worked at The Kinkaid School in Houston, Texas, as a Cooney Fellow, where he taught history and coached wrestling, football and lacrosse. Before giving in to his calling to serve others in the classroom and on the field, Ike was a proud member of Pete Sessions' Washington, D.C. Congressional staff. Ike often talked of one day running for political office.

Ike was truly one of a kind. He was passionate about music, specifically classic rock. His cover single of Desperado never quite made it to iTunes. He was extremely talented on the guitar, acoustic and air guitar alike. He loved to exercise, and would often guilt his friends and sisters to attend early morning fitness classes whenever he could.

In the summers, Ike loved to explore the wilderness. After straying from the beaten path on a camping trip in the Pecos National Forest, Ike returned as a Sherpa on the St. Marks trip and remained a lively addition to the trek over the past ten years. In his free time, Ike would FaceTime the many he cared about, and he would frequently send funny photos, caricatures, and memes just to entertain those he loved. Ike considered himself a professional ninja instructor, fluent in Arabic, and could convince you he had almost reached the top of Mount Everest before having to turn back due to altitude sickness.

Ike was constantly pushing everyone out of their comfort zone. He took every opportunity to gather those he loved, and was the glue holding together an eclectic group of people. His mischievous nature paired with an outstanding work ethic informed all those around him that life should be a fine balance of work and play.

He was preceded in death by all four grandparents, and his beloved childhood dogs, Jake and Bear.

Ike is survived by his Mother Patti Cook Crews, Father and Stepmother Ken and Kathiann Crews, older sister Kelly Crews Dayton, younger sisters Carter and Cameron Crews, nephew Miller Dayton, and his many friends whom he considered family.

A memorial service will be held Monday, January 7th at 3pm in the chapel at St. Marks School of Texas, followed by a reception in the Great Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the name of Ike McGowan Crews to the St. Marks School of Texas.