Lauren Thompson Crews

Memphis - Lauren T. Crews, Memphis, Tennessee businessman, real estate developer, and adventurer, passed away on April 14, 2025 after a nearly three-year battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease.) Lauren was born on November 23, 1949 and was 75 years old.

Lauren is survived by his sweetheart Pamela Mattingly, daughter Stephanie Crews, granddaughter Jasmine Crews, great-grandson Maddox, Mother, Laura Crews, brothers Hugh, Hilliard, and Charles Crews, as well as the loving Lynch family of his beloved wife, Sharon, who preceded him in death.

Lauren enjoyed a large extended family, and he was particularly fond of his many nieces and nephews and loved being involved in their lives.

As a real estate developer, Lauren was best known in recent years by his relentless efforts and success developing the historic Marine hospital grounds on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi river in south downtown Memphis.

Lauren loved outdoor adventures, and many will remember his canoe journey from the beginnings of the Mississippi river in Minnesota to its ending in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was accompanied on the journey by his faithful dog companion Mac. Lauren had dozens of incredible stories of his time on the river, including as a witness to a murder in the river town of Helena, Arkansas.

As recently as a year and a half ago Lauren accompanied one of his nephews on a 2-week long rafting trip on the Colorado River, and memories of that trip sustained Lauren for the rest of his life.

Lauren was also known in the Memphis area as an accomplished runner, biker and triathlete and consistently placed in his age group in area events.

Lauren was a life-long Memphian except for a brief period spent in Washington state while in the Navy. He was a boxer in the Navy and graduated from Frayser High School.

About 2 1/2 years ago Lauren reunited with Pam Mattingly who he had known in high school and apparently admired from afar. They fell madly in love and spent the last 2 1/2 years together, and she lovingly cared for him through his illness.

The family takes comfort in Lauren's interest in salvation in the last few days of his life.

A graveside service will be for family only. There will be a Celebration of Life at a later date for all friends and family.

Please consider the ALS Association for any memorials (website www.als.org).