Brief info
In memory of Mr. Emory C. Crowder, Jr., Honorary Director.
WHEREAS, Emory C. Crowder, Jr. was born on September 6, 1923, in Roanoke, Virginia to Nannie Edriss and Emory Cary Crowder, graduated from William Fleming High School, and attended and played football for Roanoke College; and
WHEREAS, Emory C. Crowder, Jr. served in the United States Navy during World War II from 1942 to 1945, was trained as a hospital corpsman to serve with the United States Marines in combat, and was stationed in Tinian, Okinawa, and Saipan during which distinguished service he received a Purple Heart and the Silver Star for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity” in battle; and
WHEREAS, Emory C. Crowder, Jr. married the brown-eyed love of his life, Kathryn, in 1950, and enjoyed 65 years of matrimony before her passing in 2016; and
WHEREAS, Emory C. Crowder, Jr. worked for Norfolk Southern Railway for over 42 years, overseeing a large region and moving often with Kathryn until they settled in Westlake, Ohio in 1968, and retiring as Assistant to the General Manager in 1983; and
WHEREAS, Emory C. Crowder, Jr. for more than 40 years led the children’s Fourth of July bicycle parade in his neighborhood and served as the unofficial community patriarch, faithfully contributing with Kathryn to family, neighbors, and church members in countless ways and demonstrating boundless kindness and love; and
WHEREAS, Emory C. Crowder, Jr. was loved and revered by his fellow Navy sailors and Marines, and was the guest of honor at numerous military events including the 2019 Army-Navy Game in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Emory C. Crowder, Jr. served as an inaugural Honorary Director of the USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation, lending his energy, expertise, and enthusiasm to the efforts of this new nonprofit organization established in 2019 to support the crew of the future USS Cleveland (LCS 31); and
WHEREAS, Emory C. Crowder, Jr. had a profound impact on the lives of all who knew him, daily demonstrating the three core values which motivated him – faith, love of life, and love for people – and immeasurably impacting and enriching the lives of others; and
WHEREAS, Emory C. Crowder, Jr. completed his earthly mission on October 18, 2021, went home to rest in the arms of God, and is remembered fondly by nieces, nephews, and a multitude of beloved friends;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Directors of the USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation, in adopting this Resolution, mourn the loss and salute the memory of Emory C. Crowder, Jr.; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the President and Executive Director of the USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation transmit a duly authenticated copy of this resolution to the family of Emory C. Crowder, Jr. and that the same be entered permanently into the minutes of the USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation.