Bobby Crowder Obituary

Bobby Lee "Bob" Crowder was born March 5, 1932, in Corn, to Dr. Verner Faye Crowder and Mrs. Ella Mae (Weichel) Crowder and passed away Sunday, September 10, 2023, at home in Hydro, surrounded by his family, at the age of 91 years, 6 months and 5 days. Bob was raised in Corn until the age of 14, when the family moved to Weatherford in the summer of 1946. He attended school and graduated Weatherford High School in 1950. Bob then attended SWOSU where he pitched baseball until the fall of 1952 when he was summoned to the service of his country in the US Army, Company A, 30th MP Battalion. He was honorably discharged on November 4, 1954, having served 2 years. After returning home, Bob farmed, raised cattle and horses, and did many other things to make his living. Sometime in 1956, Bob met the love of his life, Jolene Richeson on a blind date set up by friends. Being the joker that Bob could be so deftly, he picked Jolene up at Stewart Hall on the SWOSU campus for their coffee date and he swiftly hit old 66 Hwy westbound. When Jolene asked "where are we going?" Bob said, "the Big Texan" in Amarillo". Jolene was very taken aback until Bob finally lost his composure laughing as he pulled into Pop Hicks Restaurant in Clinton!Bob and Jolene were married August 8, 1957, in a small ceremony in Altus. They farmed, raised livestock, and to their union were born two sons, Tom and Randy. Bob had returned to college in the 1960's at SWOSU, where he earned a Master's Degree in Education in 1969. Shortly after this, he began a career in Community Action. Bob was responsible in bringing back funding from Washington, DC for a program which would now be known as Head Start, the first of its kind in Oklahoma. Over his career, he helped to foster many programs for children, handicapped, elderly, addiction afflicted, and many others. He had a true passion for helping those who needed it and couldn't help themselves. Through his career, he helped many people, but Bob preferred to remain anonymous. If you knew Bob at all, you knew he didn't like the limelight. Bob's true passion, it must be said, was raising and racing thoroughbred horses. Through this passion, he gave his family so many wonderful adventures and shared his knowledge and wisdom with many. Bob was a Master Mason, a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, and a member of Oklahoma Eastern Star. Most importantly, Bob accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in the summer of 1948, at a tent revival in Colony at the age of 16. He payed reverence to Almighty God, his Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit of God, who lived in him. If you knew Bob at all, you could see the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in him readily. Bob is survived by his son, Randy Crowder and wife, Sue; one brother, Dale Crowder; grandson, Robert "Bobby" Crowder and wife, Daisha; granddaughter, Aubrey Wager and husband, Kyle; great-grandson, Thomas Crowder; great-granddaughters, Faithlynn Crowder and Kayleigh Crowder; bonus grandchildren, Michael Bradshaw and wife, Rhonda, Diana Holdman and husband, Gregg, Tina Avery, Bobbi Perez and husband, Carmalino; bonus great-grandchildren, Stefanie Ivey and husband, Jason, Tori Williams and husband, Cole, Christyl Ramirez and husband, Tony, Marcos Perez and Christian Perez; and bonus great-great-grandchildren, Stormie Ivey, Nathan, Kennedi and Braelynn Williams. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jolene; his eldest son, Tom and wife Kay; one brother; Verner; three brothers-in-law; seven sisters-in-law; and one bonus sister.