Lloyd Lester Crowe was born February 19, 1928, in Chelsea, Oklahoma. He was the youngest of 12 children born to Laura and Delbert Crowe. He married Mary Hascall on March 4, 1950, and remained happily married for 63 years until his death. They raised four children together. Lloyd lived with his wife Mary in Olympia, Washington, for 57 years.
Lloyd is survived by his wife Mary Crowe, his daughter Mary Donaldson, son Charley Crowe (Norma), son Michael Crowe (Joan), and daughter Denise Gunderson (Durk), as well as his many grandchildren—Jana Evans, Cassandra Sohn, Jennifer Long, Lisa Willis, John Crowe, Susan Ratcliffe, Michael Crowe, Rachel Crowe, Elijah Minkiewitz, Keegan Minkiewitz, Lucas Gunderson, Harlee Gunderson, and Katherine Daniel and 18 great grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother Wesley Crowe and many nieces and nephews.
Lloyd was hard working and honest. He was a master carpenter with an impressive resume that spanned 61 years. You can look in any direction in Thurston County and see his handy work, such as, bridges, schools, shopping centers, hospitals, and various other projects. Lloyd built his own home and helped build three of his children’s homes as well. Mementos of his handcrafted skill are found in the homes of his family in picture frames, shelving, furniture, cedar chests, bird houses, easels, and many other cherished gifts.
He was an avid gardener and was found every spring tilling the earth and helping things to grow. He was fond of growing green beans, peas, and tomatoes as well as a variety of flowers. He didn’t bake often, but when he did it was a treat to enjoy anything he made. He loved to go for “daily constitutionals” and enjoyed the daily crossword puzzle in The Olympian. He also enjoyed trips to the casino with his wife.
Lloyd was known to tell a joke or two and was loved for his story telling. Everyone agrees no one told a story like Lloyd. He was also fond of singing “old favorites” including Amazing Grace and Danny Boy which his mother sang to him. Lloyd often recited various poems such as The Raven and The Yarn of the Nancy Bell.
Everyone who knew Lloyd agreed he was one of a kind. He was a husband, a father, a grandfather, a teacher, a friend and a hero. He will be greatly loved and missed. A celebration of life potluck will be held in his honor on Saturday, June 15, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. at his son Charley’s home in Shelton.
Directions: From Olympia, take I-5 south, follow signs to Port Angeles/Shelton, North Hwy. 101, stay on Hwy. 101 approximately 14 miles, you will pass the Little Creek Casino on your left, turn right at the next road (Lynch), go about 6 miles to 5810, yellow house on the right.
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