Ray P. Crowe

Ray P. Crowe, An Indiana legend and public office holder, died Saturday, December 20, 2003 at the age of 88. Ray Crowe was born on May 30, 1915 in Johnson County, Indiana. He played basketball at Whiteland High School where he was the team;s leading scorer for two years.After graduating from Indiana Central College, Mr. Crowe worked at International Harvester before being hired as a teacher at Crispus Attucks High School.Mr. Crowe leaves a legacy as coach of two consecutive Attucks High School State championship basketball teams. He was coach of the Crispus Attucks Basketball Team from 1950 â" 1957. Under his direction, they became the first team from Indianapolis to win the State Title and the first Black team in the country to win a state title.He is a member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. Mr. Crowe also gained recognition in public service, serving as a Indiana State Representative, Indianapolis City-County Councilman and Indianapolis Parks Department Director.Calling will be held Friday, December 26 from 2 to 8 p.m. at Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Center â" Washington Park North. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 27 in the Ray P. Crowe gymnasium at Crispus Attucks Middle School with additional calling from 9 to 11 a.m. prior to the service. Entombment: Washington Park North Cemetery - Court of the Apostles.Survivors: Katherine Crowe Williams, Larry Ray (Amy) Crowe, Lloyd Edward Crowe, Linda Jeanne Crowe Knight; grandchildren, Wesley Robert Crowe and Olivia Jeanne Knight; 3 step-grandchildren; 2 step-great grandchildren; and former wife, Betty Ewing Crowe. Also sister, Sylvester Crowe; brothers, George, Ralph "Pete" (Margery) and Billy (Dottie) Crowe; and a host of nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the IPS Crispus Attucks Museum, 1140 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202 or to the Indianapolis Police Athletic League Endowment Fund co Scott Taylor, 551 N. King, Indianapolis, IN 46222. www.flannerbuchanan.com