Harold Raymond Crowson, Sr.

Harold Raymond Crowson, Sr., lovingly known to many as Pawpaw, passed away peacefully in his home overlooking the bayou on Monday, November 23, 2020 at the age of 86. He was born May 18, 1934 in Madison Crossroads, AL to B.R. and Jewel Crowson.
After graduating from Jemison High School in 1952, Harold and his best friend hitchhiked to Auburn, AL to join the football team as walk-ons. Much to their dismay, they only made it so far as to become tackle dummies and quickly decided college was not for them. In October of 1956, Harold volunteered for the draft and enlisted in the Army as part of the Third Armored Division. While home on furlough, he married Jeanette on December 29, 1956 who jokes that she was the best tax deduction he could find that late in the year. Stationed in Germany, they welcomed their first daughter and began raising a family to love the Lord and each other. Harold and Jeanette returned to Fort Walton Beach, FL where he would come alongside his father in the founding of Crowson Painting Company, operating today under the leadership of his son as Crowson Construction Services. With their four children in tow, Harold and Jeanette moved to Baker, FL in 1972 to pursue Harold’s dream of owning 100 acres and 50 cows. Triple C Ranch greatly exceeded that dream as they began raising cattle and catfish. It was on this same land of almost 400 acres that their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, friends, and neighbors would gather together to celebrate Thanksgiving for so many years.
Although Thanksgiving will be missing a Daddy, Pawpaw, and friend this year, all of those Harold impacted will hold both grief and joy knowing that he will be missed but that he is rejoicing in the presence of our God. For Harold’s life was full of stories of the goodness of the Lord that he would gladly share with any listening ear and his faith was the solid foundation on which he built his family.
Harold was most proud of his Native American ancestry as part of the Ani-Yun-Wiya Tribe of the Cherokee Nation, his Auburn Tigers, and his membership of Good Hope Baptist Church. Harold was a member of Gideons International, the Cattlemen’s Association, Catfish Farmers of America, Florida Farm Bureau, and numerous other service organizations.
Harold is proceeded in death by his parents, B.R. and Jewel Crowson, and his sister Peggy Williamson. He is survived by his faithful wife of 64 years, Jeanette; daughters Crystal Adkins, Debra Mathis, and Sherri Harkins; son, Hal Crowson; 10 grandchildren, 22 great- grandchildren, and 8 great-great grandchildren; and so many others that he would claim as his own.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday November 28, 2020 at 11:00 in Cotton Cemetery, Escambia Farms, FL. The family requests that attendees wear masks in order to allow our at risk family members to safely join as we celebrate Harold’s life. Many thanks to all members of the healthcare teams and the VA who have helped care for Harold through his many medical conditions. It is with your help and the strength of the Lord that he was able to live a full life alongside his family and friends for his 86 years. For that, we will always be thankful.