John Paul Crowder, an environmentalist, father, grandfather, fly fisherman, harmonica and tennis player, committed blood donor, and prolific writer of letters to the Editor, died May 28 at his home in Florence. Mr. Crowder was 85.
A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Mr. Crowder lived for 45 years in Florence, most of it alongside the love of his life, Linda Watson Crowder.
He had a biology degree from David Lipscomb College, where he and Linda met.They married in 1962, and resided in towns across the South during the early years of his career as a fisheries biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Blending his scientific training with sharp writing skills and depth of knowledge in environmental policy, he moved into the role Chief of the Aquatic Branch at the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington DC. In 1980, he took his final job in the federal government as Chief of Environmental Compliance at the Tennessee Valley Authority. After retiring from the government, Mr. Crowder worked as a consultant, with particular expertise in the Perdido Key Beach Mouse. He dedicated his career to the protection of clean water, wetlands, and endangered species, such as the snail darter.
A proud progressive Christian, Mr. Crowder loved Jesus and the First Amendment. He served for decades as a deacon at Chisholm Hills Church of Christ, where he taught classes and led the early morning worship service for years.
A loyal friend to many, Mr. Crowder enjoyed regular visits with a colorful group of college friends known as the Men of Maine. He also enjoyed practical jokes, bad jokes, dad jokes, and pranks of all sorts. He loved hiking, reading, dark chocolate, limericks, MSNBC (especially Rachel Maddow), and bargains. But more than anyone or anything else, he loved his wife, Linda, and was her devoted caregiver when her health declined.
He is preceded in death by Linda and his twin sister, Joan Crowder Stegall. He is survived by daughters, Cecily Crowder, of Dallas Georgia, and Carla Crowder, of Birmingham; son-in-law, Bernard Troncale; grandchildren, Christian Reeves, Suzanna Reeves Buechler, and Gus Troncale, and great-granddaughter, Montana Buechler.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 7 at 11 a.m. at Chisholm Hills Church of Christ.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve in Tuscumbia, Alabama.
The Family Of John Crowder
