Stephen Henry Crowell Jr.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Stephen Henry Crowell Jr., 88, died Monday, Dec. 6, 2010, following an extended illness.
A memorial service is planned in Iowa, where Helen's family resides.
Stephen was born in Chicago, Ill., on Dec. 4, 1922, to Stephen and Opal Crowell. Following high school, he served with the Marines which was instrumental in his choice of careers. His communication career with 20 years in civil service and years in engineering and sales in private industry resulted in many moves.
He married Helen Hartwell in 1947 after a shipboard romance while they were both stationed in Okinawa, where Steve was wire chief in communications and Helen was secretary to the headquarter commandant and a court reporter.
They married in the Philippines. After Okinawa they moved to Iowa, where Colleen was born, and then to Wyoming, Panama, West Virginia, Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Maryland, Illinois, California, Arizona and finally to Thousand Oaks to be close to their daughter and son-in-law, Collen and Gary Wolfson.
While in Panama, Steve received a Department of the Army Commendation for Meritorious Civilian Service for outstanding performance of duty in resolving complex electronics and installation problems peculiar to the tropics toward the successful installation of the first microwave project in the Panama area.
Steve and Helen were married 63 years. He was a pilot, made terrific soups and bread and was known for Steve's famous chili. Steve was a very gentle man who loved to help others. He always had a twinkle in his eye that made you wonder what mischief he might be up to.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, S. Michael Marek; and his aunts, Margaret, Rosalie and Mae.
A special thank-you to Buena Vista Hospice for their loving care.