Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church Thursday, August 15, 2019.
James R. Crowe Jr. was born on September 27, 1929 to James R. Crowe Sr. and Winnifred (Rae) Crowe in Yankton, SD. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters: Francis (Holmes), Majory (Moll), Lucile (Royster), Florence (Keating) and Jane Crowe. He is survived by his wife Madeleine (nee Brady) and four children: James (Susan) Crowe, Mary (Michael Christopher) Craig, Kathleen (James) Waters and Ellen Crowe; three grandchildren, Crystal (Keyonna) Smith, Andrew (Whitney) and Connor Crowe, and five great-grandchildren.
He attend Sacred Heart from 1933 to 1941. He was the pride and joy of Sr. Innocent sliding down the slide running up to her and asking her if he got the seat of his pants dirty.
Jim attended Yankton High School from 1941 to 1945 and lettered for the Bucks in track, football and basketball. He attended Yankton College where he also played football and basketball from 1945-46 and again in 1948-49 and South Dakota State from 1949 to 1950. He did not graduate from college.
At the age of 22 in 1949 on Christmas day he would lose his mother Winnifred which would impact him for the rest of his life.
He worked for the Keating Creamery Co 1945-48 between being the Armed Forces.
He served from 1946 to 1948 as an enlisted man in the arm and in 1950 while attending South Dakota state in Brookings was recalled into active duty. He graduated from officer candidate school at Fort Benning Georgia and received his commission in 1951.
As a Lieutenant he served with the 45th Infantry division. He was awarded the Bronze star in December 1952 for his heroic achievement and valiant leadership against the North Koreans in enemy action on June 6th, 1952. As Platoon leader he led Company A of the 45th infantry division’s 180th regiment to take Mount Baldy. Coming under intense and hostile enemy fire the lead squad was separated from the rest of the platoon. Lt. Crowe without regard for personal safety made his way back to the two support squads. He organized and led a diversionary assault which distracted the enemy from the isolated squad. As the attack was renewed Lt. Crowe dove into a foxhole killing all the enemy within, losing no one in his platoon. He was also awarded the Commendation Ribbon for meritorious sever as assistant operations officer in the 1st battalion of the 180th regiment.
In 1951 he married the girl from two doors down the street Madeleine and she was the love of his life for 68 years.
He work for the Rapid City Clothing Company before joining Campbell Soup Company in 1954, as part of the Food Service division, where he would work for 39 and a half years. He was District Manager Campbell Sales Company Hall of Fame in 1983 and won seven Merit Awards with them.
In South Dakota, he grew up with a love of the outdoors. Spending the early morning hours in a duck blind, steering a boat, fishing or making his way through a cornfield in search of game birds made for a great day. He never had a day outdoors or met a dog that he didn’t love.
Always ready to take up a challenge, he pursued his interests in technology, music and sports by learning to play the piano and water ski at an age when most people would not. He also began running, competing in biathalons and Senior Olympic events. Being an avid swimmer, he started his day in his later years with several laps in the pool. Wherever he went he made friends and they were always an important part of his life.
He was a man of integrity and devotion to his faith, family and country and is truly missed.
Services: Funeral from KUTIS AFFTON CHAPEL, 10151 Gravois, Thursday, August 22, 11:00 a.m. to St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church for 11:30 a.m. Mass. Interment JB National Cemetery. Memorials to Stray Rescue of St. Louis appreciated. Visitation Wednesday, 4-8 p.m.