Marshall Thomas Crow

Marshall Thomas Crow, Sr., age 97, passed away March 19, 2018. He was born in Mobile, Alabama on October 5, 1920 to Elizabeth Jackson Crow and James Sylvester Crow, Sr. He graduated from Murphy High School of Mobile in 1937, and never forgot the friendships, acquaintances and happy times he had in Mobile. He also cherished the experiences and enjoyment of the beaches at Gulf Shores, and the lovely little town of Fairhope, Alabama. In 1939, he made three foreign trips as a cadet on Merchant Marine Ships to north European ports. In 1940, he was called to duty with the 31st National Guard Division, which he had earlier joined.

He served in World War II and Korea, landing on Omaha Beach with the first division on “D” Day, and ended the European conflict in Pilson, Czechoslovakia. He then volunteered to attack Japan through China and returned to Fort Jackson, South Carolina to help train the Second Army for the invasion. He was awarded 17 decorations, which consisted of 1 Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars, 1 Purple Heart, 1 French Croix De Guerre, 5 Battle Stars, 1 Arrow Head and 6 Service Ribbons. He was honorably discharged as an Army Captain.

He earned his Engineering Degree from Auburn University. On starting his engineering career, he worked for several companies, gaining engineering experience and then joined Allied Chemical Company, where he worked for Twenty-four years. At Allied, he served as a Project Engineer, Engineering Supervisor and Project Manager. After retiring from Allied in 1986, he moved to Florida in 1988 from Chester, Virginia, settling in Sea Colony on the Atlantic Coast at Palm Coast, Florida. He loved Sea Colony and his friendly neighbors.

He was a registered Professional Engineer, Inventor, Published Award Winning Poet, Artist, Soldier, Sailor, Kentucky Colonel, Commodore of the Delta Yacht Club, Lifetime Member MOAA, Member of the Skyline Country Club, interested in Philosophy, loved the beaches, played golf, and was an extensive traveler. He invented and patented an offshore drilling platform hoisting system and it was utilized by Kerr McGee Inc. He was a Baptized Christian.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Hilda Redden Crow. He is survived by his three sons and their wives; Marshall Thomas Crow Jr. and Mary Simmons Crow of Tampa, Florida; Charles Redden Crow and Rebecca Crutchfield Crow of Powhatan, Virginia; James Sylvester Crow and Dorie Addy Crow of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. His grandchildren are, Meghan Crow Bridges, Courtney Crow Sefair, Katie Crow Kesse and Jonathan Thomas Crow. Great grandchildren are, Madeline and Tyler Bridges, Sofia and Santiago Sefair, Livia and Sierra Kesse. His brother and sister are, James Sylvester Crow, Jr. (deceased) and Rebecca Crow Lee of Houston Houston,Texas.

He and his wife will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery at a future date.