Clyde Henry Golden Crowder's Obituary
Clyde Henry Golden Crowder was born on Sunday, May 25, 1924, in Grenada,
Mississippi. He was the first born of 11 children born to Ellen Golden and William Henry
Crowder, who preceded him in death, including his beloved wife of 76 years, Froncie,
grand-daughter Damica, six brothers: Robert Hayes, John Willard, Elwood Lamarex,
William Alfred, Harold, Theodore Houston, and his sister Gloria.
When Clyde was in high school, he was dating Miss. Clora Thompson, the love of his
life and the finest girl in the school! But one day, before school started, (while in class
with eyes only for Miss. Clora and giving her his full attention) he was minding his own
business and in walked a pair of feet attached to a pair of long, beautiful legs belonging
to none other than Miss. Froncie Kegler! Clyde was so smitten by Froncie that when
school ended, he forgot all about walking Ms. Clora home from school like she was
accustomed to him doing, and he decided he was walking Ms. Froncie home. From that
day forward, Clyde and Froncie, whom he affectionately referred to as “Kidd”, were
inseparable. Clyde was 18 and Froncie was 16 when they married on December 19,
1942.
Soon after Clyde and Froncie married, Clyde enlisted in the United States Army in 1944
and the happy couple moved to Massachusetts. After leaving the Army they heard of
the many job opportunities available and how sunny San Diego was, so they moved to
San Diego CA and started a family, and had four children: Eloise, Leon, Pauline, and
Ellen. Clyde had various jobs, but his main career began with a job he got in the
Sanitation Department for the City of San Diego on Feb 1, 1953. Clyde worked as a
sanitation worker on the garbage truck and eventually was promoted to supervisor, ten
years later in 1963. A testament as to his commitment to doing a professional job was
this letter of commendation he received from a customer dated September 17, 1958.
“She discovered her husband had mistakenly thrown away a number of his white shirts.
She says within 10 minutes her doorbell rang and there stood a good looking efficient
businessman in answer to her S.O.S. He handled my problem in such a pleasing and
satisfactory manner.” This position later led him to various entrepreneurial business
opportunities with Radio Shack and selling products at the local swap-meets and estate
sales.
He was our very own modern day “Fred Sanford”, but the difference was, Clyde was
actually making a real living as a junkman. He wasn’t a mean and ornery old man and
didn’t refer to his son as “You big dummy”. Clyde laughed easily, he was a real class
clown who loved to have fun and was loved by everybody (with the obvious exception of
Ms. Clora) he didn’t sweat the small things, he was a negotiator, salesman, social,
investigative, enterprising, analytical, indecisive.
He was born under the sign of the twin, he was sweet, an encourager, kind and could
be sarcastic, firm and funny. He forgave easily and completely. He demonstrated a
mechanical aptitude in his entrepreneurial endeavors. His natural curiosity helped him
learn new skills late in life. At age 73 he learned to use a personal computer, printer/fax
machine all over the phone! In his eighties learned to use the smartphone and Kindle
tablet. By the time he was in his nineties, he was using Facebook, video chatting and
with some help, having fun on Snapchat.
Because of his relationship or lack of, with his father, he vowed to not drink and to
spend time with his children. He was our primary caregiver along with our maternal
grandmother. We went where he went, to the roller derby, wrestling, boxing matches,
demolition derby, motorcycle hill climb, etc. and later the swap meet. It was on the many
car rides that he exposed his children to the many different flavors of ice cream and
malts on our way to Belmont Park and the beach. He also exposed us to appreciate
different types of music from classical to country. Reggae to spiritual. While listening to
a classical arrangement he would name the instruments that were prominent in the
song. He is loved and remembered by many. A father-figure to many of his
grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He leaves to cherish his memories: his four children: Eloise (Robert) Crowder-Mitchell,
Leon (Olivia) Crowder, Pauline Crowder Banks, and Ellen Marie Zemault. 11
grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren. His sisters Edna
Smith, Carrie (Charlie) Mack, and brother’s Frank M. (Geraldine) Crowder and
Nathaniel (Thomasina) Ford.
What’s your fondest memory of Clyde?
What’s a lesson you learned from Clyde?
Share a story where Clyde's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Clyde you’ll never forget.
How did Clyde make you smile?
