James Clifford Crowder, Sr.
James Clifford Crowder, Sr. (94) of Alvin, Texas, passed away at his home on Sunday, August 4, 2024. Known to many as Jim or Jimmie, he was a husband, father, grandfather and friend. Jim was a civic minded entrepreneur and the co-founder of James Crowder Funeral Home, Inc. and Crowder Investments, Inc.
He was born in Oklahoma City, OK on June 11, 1930 to Hazel Clifford and William Frank Crowder. In 1932 his family relocated to Galveston, Texas in search of work. He attended Galveston schools and at the age of 17, he was forced to begin work due to the death of his father. Jim worked at Malloy & Son Funeral Home in Galveston as an ambulance driver, funeral director, and assistant manager to help provide temporary stability for his mother and grandmother. He attended Landig Mortuary College in Houston, and received his Funeral Director and Embalmer’s license in 1952.
While working as an ambulance driver he met his first wife, the late Ann L. Crowder. Together they moved their family to the mainland, raising their four sons in La Marque while starting a business. Jim and Ann co-founded James Crowder Funeral Home, Inc. in 1959 and Crowder Investments, Inc. in 1982. They grew their business together, expanding across Galveston County with locations in La Marque and Dickinson. After Ann’s passing, Jim and three of his sons expanded once more to Webster before he retired in 2003. He could still tell you the name of the very first family he ever served after opening the first location in La Marque.
Through his local business he was able to serve families at their times of need while also working diligently to better his community. In 1961, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the Jr. Chamber of Commerce in La Marque. After serving as La Marque President of the Chamber of Commerce in 1962, he was elected Mayor for the City of La Marque and served his first term from 1963-1967. His tenure as the Mayor of La Marque led him to his next endeavors as La Marque City Councilman from 1967-1969. At this time, he received the Outstanding Leadership Award from the La Marque Chamber of Commerce and began his bid for his second term as the Mayor of La Marque; serving from 1969-1973. He was once again recognized for his outstanding citizenship in 1973 by the Knights of Columbus. Jim served as the President of the Rotary Club of La Marque from 1982-1983 and continued to participate in several civic organizations. In 1993 he made another bid for political office, this time he was elected the Mayor of Tiki Island; he served from 1993-1995. Jim has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Gulf National Bank, (now Texas First Bank) since 1983.
After his wife, Ann, passed away in 1986, Jim married Betty Payne. Together they made countless memories and dozens of lifelong friends while travelling across the Country. Jim and Betty lived in their RV for 14 years, taking off whenever they felt the itch to travel. They spent years RVing with groups of friends to places like South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore, Kansas and Florida. They visited Alaska (twice), Hawaii and made 22 cruises. Their most prized memories with their RV family came from their times in Rockport. When they weren’t on the road, they were parked by the Bay; on a little piece of property they named Pelican Point.
Jim had an unwavering love for the outdoors. He loved to hunt and fish whenever he could find the time; living on Tiki Island and at Pelican Point made fishing easily accessible. He was usually joined by his faithful companions Borracho and Hobeau. In the most recent years, he found joy in just being outside, caring for a few chickens, watching the birds eat from his birdfeeder and mowing the grass on his property.
Jim is preceded in death by his mother and father; his wife Ann L. Crowder; sons: Ronald L. Crowder, Sr. and Kevin Patrick Crowder; brother William F. “Bill” Crowder and sister in-law Catherine Crowder. He is survived by his wife of 34 years Betty Payne Crowder; sons: John C. Crowder, James C. Crowder, Jr. (LeeAnn), and Walter F. Crowder, Sr. (Margo); step-son Erik Larsen (Michelle); daughter in-law Carolyn F. Crowder; brother in-law J. Donald Payne; grandchildren: Lee Crowder (Mandie), James Crowder, III (Katie), Matt Crowder (Tarah), Amy Williams (Scott), Ted Crowder, Mark Crowder (Lanie), Lori Chinn (Nick), Ashley Crowder, Walter Crowder, Jr., Toban Crowder (Brooke), Rilee Born (Kyle), Cody Crowder, Blake Crowder (Kristina), Melissa Crowder and Natalie Crowder; 27 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Visitation will be held Thursday, August 8, 2024 at James Crowder Funeral Home in La Marque from 3:00pm – 8:00pm with a vigil at 6:00pm. A funeral service will begin at 10:00am on Friday, August 9, 2024 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in La Marque with Msgr. James Anderson officiating; graveside to follow at Galveston Memorial Park in Hitchcock.
Pallbearers will be his nine grandsons.
Love you Papa! We made many memories and had a fun time in them all.
The man who helped teach me how to work hard and have fun doing it. It was an honor to work for Mr. Crowder during highschool and college. I always enjoyed listening to him and his friend Boots tell their stories of their younger years. You will be missed. Rest in peace!
Had the distinct pleasure of working for Jim and Ann back in 1979. When you worked for them you were considered family. They and their sons are some of the finest people I have ever had the pleasure to be around. He will be greatly missed by family and the communities he served. God bless.
I met Mr. Crowder in 1957, via the Jr. Chamber of Commerce in Galveston. He was a natural leader and very hard worker. Fast forward 50 + years, I worked with him, and John and Ronnie on the purchase on the property in Clear Lake for a funeral home. He was the same man. He was a excellent business man.
Jasper :J. E.” Tramonte, CCIM
Over 57 years ago, Jim Crowder became a very good friend to me. He let me know I didn’t have to address him as Mr. Crowder. He had me fly to Missouri with him to attend to my future father-in-law’s funeral. Jim thought the world of Melvin Neely. So, during that week Jim and I bonded as friends, even though he was older than me. He was always attentive to Diane and me. He even listed me as Keith Crowder, on the flight manifest. I had known Ronnie and John from school. So, Ronnie started calling me Bubba. Jim even made arrangements to fly Diane’s mother back to Texas, 3 months after that tragic accident that took the lives of four people.
Ann was always super to us. They made sure they came to our wedding 55 and a half years ago.
Over the years Jim was a mentor to me in many ways. Bim said he was a better daddy than he was a friend.
God bless this family. May they hang on to the good memories and fun times. Jim loved his family very much.
And thank you Betty for being there for Jim. He needed you. God bless you lady.
Keith & Diane Bellamy
To the Crowder family, We send our love and respect to you at the homegoing of the Patriarch of your family. Mr. Crowder was a dear friend of the Fontenot family and Rev. Vincent Fontenot worked for him for many years. We are saddened to hear of his passing but we thank God for the many years he blessed us with his kindness and his presence. He was a good man and the family is blessed to carry his legacy forward.. Due to health issues, we are not able to attend the service but our thoughts and prayers are with the family as you celebrate the life and legacy of Mr. Crowder.