Christopher Gale Crowson

10/3/1934 - 2/22/2024

Christopher “Chris” Crowson, born in October 1934 in Raleigh, North Carolina, died February 22, 2024, near his home in Silverdale, WA. Born to Manly and Alice Crowson, he lived a long, wonderful life of service, love, and adventure.

Chris grew up in Raleigh, attending school at Ravenscroft and Needham Broughton.  He was then proudly accepted into the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he majored in Chemistry. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. He married Judy Crandall in London, England, in 1961. They grew a family of three daughters: Catherine, Sharon, and Jennifer. As is often the case with a military family, they crisscrossed the globe to many Navy ports; Florida, California, Virginia, Taiwan and Bremerton before settling in Silverdale when Chris retired from the Navy in 1980.

During his Navy Career, he achieved the rank of Commander and received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal and 2 Meritorious Service Medals. Chris collected lifelong friends in the Navy, attending reunions and finding ways to keep in touch. After retiring from the Navy, he obtained an MBA and worked as a program manager for an Engineering firm for 14 years.

During his retirement, Chris traveled abundantly. He took extensive tours and pilgrimages to Kenya, the European Union, Russia, China, and the Galapagos islands.  He celebrated his children’s and grandchildren’s milestones—births, birthdays, graduations, and concerts—with unwavering pride. His childhood friends from Raleigh remained a cherished part of his life, gathering annually to reminisce about simpler times. He often visited Chapel Hill (go Tar Heels!) in the fall to attend a football game and enjoy campus at the alumni weekends.

Chris was an only child, but he extended his small family by staying in contact with the lifelong friends he collected over his life. And then there was St. Antony’s, his church family. Their support and fellowship sustained him through life’s joys and sorrows. He partook in Thursday morning breakfast with friends, Wednesday soup suppers, potlucks after service, the barn sales, driving his friends to and from church when they could not drive, ushering, and volunteering in almost any capacity. He knew how to make himself useful and he knew how to be a friend.  Dad loved family gatherings. He quite often brought smoked salmon, a fine bottle of wine, and pie, favorites to share that became synonymous with Grandad. The grandkids remember his playful games. Dad loved to cook too! He is fondly remembered for cooking the family Rotisserie Chicken, making gravy for the Thanksgiving feast and his
buttermilk pancakes!

Later in life Dad began enjoying walks and hikes with family and friends. He had a pair of walking poles and joined a hiking group. You could often find him walking in his neighborhood or the Wetlands Trails nearby. 

His mother instilled a lifelong passion for music in his soul. He listened to his symphony music at loud decibels from his enormous stereo cabinet, attended concerts with family and friends and volunteered on the Bremerton Symphony Board.

He is survived by his former wife, Judy, his three daughters, and seven grandchildren, Abby, Christopher, Connor, Michael, Grace, Alexandria, and Amanda.

Though our dad may have left this world, we are confident his spirit will live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know him. We will miss his smile, hug, thoughtfulness and kind words with a dash of fatherly advice. Rest in Peace Dad.

Chris’s services are to be held at St. Antony’s Episcopal Church in Silverdale, April 6 at 1 pm. Be sure to wear a little North Carolina blue unless you are a Duke fan!

Please send any memorials to Chris’s church family at St. Antony’s Episcopal Church
(building fund) PO box 2822 Silverdale, WA 98393.

Comments

Rest in Peace...shipmate! Gail and I loved getting to know Chris...in the last 10 years since we came to St As. We will miss his smile and sense of humor and his point of view on things. Sorry for you loss...and ours.

Mark & Gail Westin

Rest In Peace. Our family will miss you greatly. You had a wicked sense of humor, and we enjoyed talking with you whenever we were in church or running into you shopping at the commissary.

Carmen, Pete, & Christina Morris & Carleton McKenney

We have so many wonderful fond memories of times shared since we first met at the birth of St. Antony's church. We will miss your presence and all you gave with such graciousness. Rest in Peace, tarheelchris.

Darrow and Ruth Lindstrum

Ray and I (Elizabeth) first met Chris when we started up ST's in 1985. Our friendship grew and we shared many pleasant moments together. Never another Chris. We miss you! Take charge in Heaven! Love, Elizabeth and Ray

Elizabeth Flagg

We met Chris when we began attending St. Antony Episcopal Church more than ten years ago. We enjoyed the warmth of his friendship and appreciated his wisdom and many contributions to church life. We will always remember his welcoming smile and self-effacing humility. Rest in peace, good and faithful servant.

Malcolm and Sylvia Campbell

Chris and I were high school classmates - Broughton Class of 1952. Though he lived on the other side of the US, he always attended class reunions in Raleigh. It was a joy to see him on each occasion. He remained friends with many classmates and stayed in touch - always sending me news about those we knew. I will miss his emails and his friendship.

Shirley Merriman Faulk

Chris and I attended grammar school in the same class together (Ravenscroft School in Raleigh, NC) from 1940 until 1948. With the exception of a few years, we remained in contact for 78 years. After attending a Normandy memorial in France one year, he made a side trip to visit us here in southern Germany – a visit that I still cherish. On many of his trips to Raleigh, he thoughtfully made photos for me. A dear friend - his sense of humor and his emails will be greatly missed.

Charles Frederick (Fritz) Wulf, Jr.

So very sorry to have just learned this news......we feel so bad missing his service. Chris was a dear friend from years ago where we all worked together at Art Anderson Associates. Having the same financial advisor for the past several years, we'd see him at meetings where we'd catch up on the latest - he'd always share the news of and activities with his grandkids - he was awfully proud of them and of his 3 daughters! We'll miss that connection with Chris but know he's no doubt making good financial recommendations and great conversation with folks above! He had a huge heart, and he certainly lived a full life. We'll cherish the many fond memories of good times.

Cindy & Larry Mikelsen