Ronald Leroy Crow

Ronald Leroy Crow, 77, born on May 16, 1947, in Moundsville, WV went peacefully to his eternal home surrounded by family on March 21, 2025, in Lakeland, Florida. He was the beloved son of the late Lawrence W. Crow Sr. and Violet Peery Crow.

Ron, as he was affectionately known, was a source of generous support in the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him. His passing has left a void in the hearts of his family, friends, and many more whose lives were touched by him.

Ron is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Glenda Tindell Crow, his brother Lawrence W. Crow, Jr. (Wanda), his sister Linda Crow Merritt (Keith), cousin Roy Peery (who Ron considered like a brother) (Doris), his son Adam Crow, his stepchildren who he loved as his own, Donald Goff (Debbie), Lamont Goff (Jessica), Kimberly Goff, Debra Conn, Joey Chiles (Terri), Greg Chiles (Cheryl). He also leaves behind many cousins, nieces and nephews who adored him dearly. He is preceded in death by his older sister, Patricia Rosario, known affectionately as Patty. Ron felt a particularly close bond to Patty’s daughter, Margaret Scott (David), his dear niece.

When Ron was 17, his brother, Larry, enlisted in the Navy, Ron wanted to join up too, so he tried to enlist with the Marine Corps at the same time. Unfortunately, due to Ron’s scoliosis, he failed the physical. But, Ron was determined to serve, so when he noticed the new recruits loading onto the bus for Camp Lejeune, he snuck onto the bus and hid under a seat in the back thinking they’d have to take him when he got there, but they didn’t.

Since he was unable to realize his military dreams, Ron pursued a career in phosphate mining, a major industry in the state of Florida. He performed work as a crane operator, and later a machinist with IMC and Mosaic.

While working at the phosphate mines, Ron also became affiliated with and heavily involved in the Fin and Feather sportsmen club, serving actively on its board. Anyone who knows Ron, knows that he would not be satisfied lounging leisurely during retirement, so no one was surprised when, post-retirement from Mosaic, Ron eventually took on the role and responsibility of serving as the President of Fin and Feather for approximately 20 years, right up to his death.

He also sought pleasure from his hobbies that centered around nature, boating, and fishing. On multiple occasions, Ron was a tournament winning fisherman. He took pride in teaching his stepson, Donny, how to throw a bait caster and in taking friends and family out on his boat. He loved to travel and had fun dabbling in amateur photography and as he entered his senior years, he even became a self-taught expert in the area of electronics, video and audio systems and computers, mastering them to the point that he could teach and support others. Ron loved a good joke and knew a BUNCH of them that he enjoyed sharing with friends and family.

Those who knew Ron will also remember him as a tremendously organized, hard-working man and a perfectionist whose attention to detail was reflected in everything he touched, especially when providing assistance to others. Despite chronic pain and physical limitations, Ron still invested 110% of himself, believing anything worth doing was worth doing as well as could be done.

Most importantly, Ron found joy in his marriage and his family and his service to Jesus. Ron met Glenda, who he affectionately called “Babe” in 1990 and they married in January of 1992. In 2003, after attending church with Glenda for a while, Ron made the decision to go to the altar and accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. By all accounts, he was a totally different man from that point forward. Not that he wasn’t a good man before, but he quickly developed a steadfast faith in Jesus and it was no longer enough for Ron to simply attend without pouring himself into service in the church. He committed himself to managing the sound system for the church, and he and Glenda together frequently provided food and volunteered for various events and occasions hosted by the church. At his passing, he was also serving as a deacon at Full Gospel Fellowship of Wahneta, Florida.

May the memory of Ron be a comfort to all who knew and loved him.

The Celebration of Life service to honor the life of Ronald Leroy Crow will be held on Friday, March 28, 2025 at Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home at 2198 K-Ville Avenue, Auburndale, Florida, 32823.‍ The family will receive visitors from 10:00 am - 11:00 am. The service will begin at 11:00 am. There will be a reception on site immediately following the service.

There will be no graveside service, but Ron will be interred at Oak Hill Cemetery located at 4620 US Highway 98 South, Lakeland, Florida 33812.