Claude E. Crowe Jr

San Antonio native and lifelong resident Claude E. Crowe, Jr. passed away unexpectedly at his home on Monday, March 9, 2015. Born in San Antonio to Claude and Nora B. Crowe on October 21, 1937, Claude was an only child. His father and namesake was the owner and manager of a finance company, which eventually became Claude’s career as well. A graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School and Baylor University, Claude also studied the theater arts at the Dallas Theater Center under the direction of Paul Baker before returning to San Antonio to take over the family business as the head of Liberal Finance & Thrift Corp, headquartered in San Antonio, but with branch offices in Corpus Christi and El Paso. An early interest in theatrical magic led to a second career as a professional magician, performing throughout Texas and beyond for a variety of audiences. He was a member of the Texas Association of Magicians, the Society of American Magicians, the International Brotherhood of Magicians, the Magic Circle of London and the Magic Collectors’ Association. In 1989 he organized the Texas Magic Collectors’ Association, with meetings twice each year and Claude edited and published the Texas Magic Collectors’ Newsletter. Twice president of the San Antonio Ring of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, Claude was made a lifetime member in 2008. The Ring hosted a roast in his honor in May 2014. At the time of his death, he also served on the Board of Directors of the non-profit Texas Consumer Finance Association. Claude was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by relatives and a large community of close friends. Visitation will take place at Sunset Funeral Home Saturday March 21, 2015 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Funeral Services will take place Sunday March 22, 2015 at 10:00am in the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will take place Monday March 23, 2015 at 12:00pm in the Sunset Memorial Park 1701 Austin Highway San Antonio, Texas 78218.