John Willard Crowder Sr.'s Obituary
John W. Crowder Sr. John Willard Crowder Sr. was born on September 11,1941, in Grenada, Ms. He was the eighth of eleven children, Born to William Henry and Ellen Golden Crowder, who preceded him in death, also five brothers: Elwood, Theodore, William, Harold and Hayes, and one sister Gloria.
John accepted christ as a youth, he was a member and sang in the choir at Vincent Chapel United Methodist Church, in Grenada, Ms.
John attended and graduated from Carrie Dotson High School in 1960. In August of 1960, he joined the United States Marine Corps at MCRD San Diego, Ca, two years after enlisting, he married the love of his life, Lucy Wilson, on July 16, 1962. They had three children, John Jr., Curtis, and Cynthia. He retired from the U.S. Marine Corps after serving nine years in 1969, as a staff sergeant. That same year he was employed by the City of San Diego Parks Department, starting as a Laborer and Utility Worker 1. During his first seven years with the city, he furthered his education by taking evening classes and achieving an Associates of Arts Degree in Behavioral Science at City College. A Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration from Natural University.
His career with the City of San Diego reached great heights with seven promotions in his 33 year career. The management positions he held were Senior Water Utility Supervisor, General Water Utility Supervisor and retired as Construction Operations Management. He encouraged and taught other workers on how to achieve a successful career with the City of San Diego, he was respected by all.
John also dedicated his time to the community by serving as a member of the San Diego City Schools Community Advisory Budget Development Committee as well as the District Advisory Committee for Compensatory Education.
John W. Crowder lived a long and beautiful life and enjoyed dancing and singing to that soulful blues sound. He will greatly be missed by his loving wife Lucy, his sons John Jr., Curtis (Sharon) and daughter Cynthia, three grandchildren Candace, Jonelle and John Ⅲ, three great grandchildren, Christian, Davion and SiRae, brothers Clyde Crowder, Frank (Geraldine) Crowder, Nathaniel (Thomasina) Ford, sisters, Edna Smith, Carrie (Charlie) Mack, and a wonderful blessing of many nieces and nephews who he was affectionately known as Uncle Willard, and his extended family and friends.
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