Mark Alan Crowder

Mark Alan Crowder, 70, of Hillsville, Virginia, passed away on May 20, 2025. Mark was a brilliant, hilarious, and endlessly curious soul with a deep love for science, spirituality, the ocean, and a good bargain.  

Born on December 28, 1954, to Martha Symthers Crowder and Foy Dale Crowder, Mark spent a lifetime learning, dreaming, working, and inventing. He could do it all: he was a college pitcher and quarterback, while juggling a chemistry major at JMU. Mark was stationed in Germany while serving in the Army, read tarot cards in Jamaica, leather smithed in Galax, hitchhiked to Florida toting a brass still. Mark was known by some as the unofficial mayor of Bradenton Beach, Florida. He worked with a successful treasure hunting crew looking for sunken Spanish galleons, nurtured an incredible collection of bromeliads, and created amazing exploding balloon creations. Mark was an aspiring entrepreneur, inventor, and scientist. 

Mark had an uncanny way with animals. However, the only thing he was ever truly afraid of was a skunk, always saying “that’s an animal that will teach you about respect”. He was deeply loyal and believed in helping others whether they had the sense to want it or not. Despite his many talents, he was always able to laugh at himself, which may be the most important of all. 

He is survived by his mother, Martha Crowder; daughter Ivy (Michael) Weeks and granddaughter Ada; and nephews Josh (Amanda) Crowder and John (Tara) Bible. He was preceded in death by his father, Foy Dale Crowder and beloved brother Eric Crowder. He also leaves behind a whole lot of people who are smarter for having known him—and probably a pile of unfinished projects, obscure tools, and maps to "somewhere important." Mark was a thinker, a seeker, and a tinkerer to the end.

A private memorial service to celebrate Mark’s life will be held on Thursday in Hillsville, Virginia. Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel is serving the family.