Albert F. Crowder

Albert Crowder was born on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1930 to Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Crowder, the 6th of 10 children, in Poplar Creek, MS. He passed away at his home in Gulfport Monday, August 28, 2017. Maj. Crowder served in the Navy during the Korean War, and subsequently attended Perkinston Junior College where he played on the Bulldog football team, and then graduated from Mississippi State University in 1957. Enlisting in the U.S. Army after graduation, he was a Ranger in the airborne division and served two tours of duty in Vietnam receiving the Bronze Star, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and the Armed Forces Honor Medal and rose to the rank of major before retiring in 1973. After retiring he earned a Masters degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and settled in Gulfport and was active in real estate. He was active in veteran’s organizations and was instrumental in establishing the Vietnam Memorial in Ocean Springs. Maj. Crowder was preceded in death by his parents, his brother and sisters, William Crowder, Ethel Louise Crowder, Eugene Crowder, Ruth Holmes Brady, Charlie Crowder, James Crowder, Ollie Reindl, Archie Crowder; his son, Al Crowder; and his great-granddaughter Miss Kayla Maniccia. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Emily Crowder; his sister, Mrs. Sue Lepoma (Tony); and his children, Mrs. Carol Reeves (David), Mrs. Margie Hamilton (Morris), Mrs. Janet Matthews, Ms. Donna Triplett, Ms. Mary Morris and Mr. Jimmy Morris (Ruth); and sixteen grandchildren, Jason Streetman, Mrs. Shelley Williams (Jason), Dr. Jeffrey Reeves (Phyllis), Patrick Reeves, Francis Connor (Liam), Morris Hamilton III (Kim), Fritz Hamilton, Emily Susan Beasley, Daniel Hoda, Robert Hoda ( Heather), Brendan Morris, James Morris Jr., McKinzie Morris, Adam Morris, Derek Needham and Ashton Needham; and twelve great-grandchildren; and numerous in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews. Maj. Crowder loved his family, loved boating, loved to travel, and loved his country. The funeral service is Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at 12 noon at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport where friends may visit beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery with honors by the U.S. Army. In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorial donations to the charity of one's choice. View and sign the register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com