James Crowder Funeral Home

08/09/2024

What a legacy!
Rest in peace Mr. Crowder 🕊️
Thank you for paving the way many years ago! 🤍

James Crowder Funeral Home

08/06/2024

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, grandfather and loved one, James Clifford Crowder, Sr. - Co-Founder of James Crowder Funeral Home and Former Mayor of the City of La Marque. A loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.

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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.

06/10/2024

We are deeply saddened to announce that Deputy Elmer Venzke has passed away earlier today. Please keep his wife, Linda, his son, John, and their entire family in your prayers as they grieve this unimaginable loss.

Arrangements are pending and will be shared once they become available.

08/11/2023

07/05/2023

07/05/2023

Happy 4th of July!
🇺🇸💥💥🧨💥💥🇺🇸

04/07/2023

Rebekah Elizabeth (Reinsch) Monk, age 71 of Palestine, passed peacefully in her home Sunday, March 12, 2023. She is survived by her brother Wayne Reinsch and sister in law Brenda Reinsch of Texas City, TX and two sons Micah Morse of Palestine, TX and Brian Morse of Grapeland, TX. She had 16 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren. She was loved dearly and will be missed.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 8, 2023 at 1:30PM at the Hayes Grace Memorial Park Cemetery in Hitchcock, TX.

12/23/2022

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our Brother, Uncle and loved one, Ronald Lee Crowder, Sr. - Co-Owner and Operator of James Crowder Funeral Home and unwavering supporter of the City of La Marque. A Loving Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather.
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Ronald Lee Crowder, Sr., of La Marque, Texas passed away on Thursday, December 22, 2022, in League City, Texas at the age of 74. He was born on July 20, 1948, in Galveston, Texas to James and Ann Crowder.

Ron was very active in many organizations throughout his life. Ron was a Licensed Funeral Director for over 50 years. A very proud 2nd generation owner/operator of James Crowder Funeral Homes, established by his parents James and Ann in 1959. He held positions as Secretary-Treasurer for James Crowder Funeral Home, and later would help perpetuate their family business by establishing locations in Dickinson, Webster, Pearland and League City. He was a member of the La Marque Knights of Columbus, President of the La Marque Jaycees, President of the La Marque Chamber of Commerce, served on the Clear Creek Education Foundation Board of Directors, member of the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, former Director of the YMCA, served on the GCA Board of Directors, President of La Marque Industrial Development Corp. Inc., Bay Area Economic Development, and Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce. Ron was also very active in politics, including, Mayor of La Marque from 1979-1983 and Galveston County Commissioner from 1985-1989.

Ronnie loved hunting and fishing. He enjoyed taking trips and traveling with his family. But most of all he loved his grandchildren and great grandchild very much. He will be greatly missed by all.

He is survived by his wife Carolyn of 54 years, daughter Amy Williams and husband Scott, sons Ronald Lee Crowder Jr. and wife Mandie, Matt Crowder and wife Tarah, father James Crowder Sr. and wife Betty, brothers John Crowder, James Crowder Jr. and wife LeeAnn, Walt Crowder and wife Margo. Grandchildren Morgan Finkelson and husband Dustin, Matilyn Crowder, Max Crowder, Luke Crowder, Hudson Crowder, and Grayson Howard, and great-grandson Morrison Finkelson.

The Family will receive friends on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at 10:00 am with a Mass to follow at 11:00 am at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 1224 Cedar Drive, La Marque, Texas 77568 with Msgr. James B Anderson presiding. Interment will take place at Galveston Memorial Park Cemetery in Hitchcock, Texas.

In lieu of flowers you may send memorials to Arthritis Foundation, 1355 Peachtree St. NE Suite 600, Atlanta, GA 30309, or Queen of Peace Catholic Church 1224 Cedar Drive, La Marque, Texas 77568.