Robert Joseph Crowson

He was born April 7, 1928 in Callaway County MO to Hartley T. and Tempe Crowson. Joe was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Eastman Crowson.

Joe married his high school sweetheart, E. Jean Martin, on March 18, 1951. Together during their 70 years of loving each other, Joe and Jean loved and brought up five beautiful children: Sandra Mead, Jensen Beach FL; Robert J. Crowson II (Susan), Georgetown TX; Craig S. Crowson (Mary), Palm Coast FL; Paul M. Crowson (Becky), Hobe Sound FL; and Kimberly A. Delfino, Hendersonville NC. Joe was also a loving grandfather to 6 wonderful grandchildren: Chris Adamson, Zachary Crowson, Kiersten Adamson-Castro (Mariano), Madison Crowson, Chase Adamson, and Nicholas Crowson.

Joe graduated from the University Lab School in 1946. He went on to graduate from Westminster College in Fulton MO. After college Joe served in the US Marine Corps during the Korean War period. He was honorably discharged and then attended the University of Missouri-Columbia where he earned his Master’s Degree in Education. Joe taught in DeSoto MO for one year and then returned to the University Lab School in the fall of 1955 where he taught math until the school closed in 1973. Joe worked at various jobs for the next several years before retiring from the university. After retirement, he spent many hours learning computers. During the last years of his life, his beloved laptop was his constant companion. In later years, Joe became close to several of his former U-High students through email and in-person gatherings.

Joe loved tennis and taught his children to love it too. He taught them to love games of all kinds just as he did. He spent many hours watching tennis and ferrying his children to tournaments. He was a wonderful dad to his five beautiful children.

Three years ago, Joe discovered “pickleball” and played the game just as fiercely as he had tennis. He had a mean ‘drop shot’ and ‘spin’! He taught grandson Chris to love the sport as well. While spending the winter in FL with his daughter, he played 3 days a week and the rest of the week he and Jean worked out in the gym at the YMCA. Joe and Jean made many wonderful friends during their winter months in FL.

At Joe’s request, there will be no visitation or service. A graveside ceremony and the burial will be at Callaway Memorial Gardens in Fulton MO at 11:00am on April 30. Family and friends are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Columbia Senior Activity Center, 1121 Business Loop 70 E, Columbia MO 65201 or to a charity of your choice.