James Clifford Crowder Sr.

James Clifford Crowder, Sr. (94) of Alvin, Texas, passed away at his home on Sunday, August 4, 2024. Known to many as Jim or Jimmie, he was a husband, father, grandfather and friend. Jim was a civic minded entrepreneur and the co-founder of James Crowder Funeral Home, Inc. and Crowder Investments, Inc.
He was born in Oklahoma City, OK on June 11, 1930 to Hazel Clifford and William Frank Crowder. In 1932 his family relocated to Galveston, Texas in search of work. He attended Galveston schools and at the age of 17, he was forced to begin work due to the death of his father. Jim worked at Malloy & Son Funeral Home in Galveston as an ambulance driver, funeral director, and assistant manager to help provide temporary stability for his mother and grandmother. He attended Landig Mortuary College in Houston, and received his Funeral Director and Embalmer's license in 1952.
While working as an ambulance driver he met his first wife, the late Ann L. Crowder. Together they moved their family to the mainland, raising their four sons in La Marque while starting a business. Jim and Ann co-founded James Crowder Funeral Home, Inc. in 1959 and Crowder Investments, Inc. in 1982. They grew their business together, expanding across Galveston County with locations in La Marque and Dickinson. After Ann's passing, Jim and three of his sons expanded once more to Webster before he retired in 2003. He could still tell you the name of the very first family he ever served after opening the first location in La Marque.
Through his local business he was able to serve families at their times of need while also working diligently to better his community. In 1961, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the Jr. Chamber of Commerce in La Marque. After serving as La Marque President of the Chamber of Commerce in 1962, he was elected Mayor for the City of La Marque and served his first term from 1963-1967. His tenure as the Mayor of La Marque led him to his next endeavors as La Marque City Councilman from 1967-1969. At this time, he received the Outstanding Leadership Award from the La Marque Chamber of Commerce and began his bid for his second term as the Mayor of La Marque; serving from 1969-1973. He was once again recognized for his outstanding citizenship in 1973 by the Knights of Columbus. Jim served as the President of the Rotary Club of La Marque from 1982-1983 and continued to participate in several civic organizations. In 1993 he made another bid for political office, this time he was elected the Mayor of Tiki Island; he served from 1993-1995. Jim has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Gulf National Bank, (now Texas First Bank) since 1983.
After his wife, Ann, passed away in 1986, Jim married Betty Payne. Together they made countless memories and dozens of lifelong friends while travelling across the Country. Jim and Betty lived in their RV for 14 years, taking off whenever they felt the itch to travel. They spent years RVing with groups of friends to places like South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore, Kansas and Florida. They visited Alaska (twice), Hawaii and made 22 cruises. Their most prized memories with their RV family came from their times in Rockport. When they weren't on the road, they were parked by the Bay; on a little piece of property they named Pelican Point.
Jim had an unwavering love for the outdoors. He loved to hunt and fish whenever he could find the time; living on Tiki Island and at Pelican Point made fishing easily accessible. He was usually joined by his faithful companions Borracho and Hobeau. In the most recent years, he found joy in just being outside, caring for a few chickens, watching the birds eat from his birdfeeder and mowing the grass on his property.
Jim is preceded in death by his mother and father; his wife Ann L. Crowder; sons: Ronald L. Crowder, Sr. and Kevin Patrick Crowder; brother William F. "Bill" Crowder and sister in-law Catherine Crowder. He is survived by his wife of 34 years Betty Payne Crowder; sons: John C. Crowder, James C. Crowder, Jr. (LeeAnn), and Walter F. Crowder, Sr. (Margo); step-son Erik Larsen (Michelle); daughter in-law Carolyn F. Crowder; brother in-law J. Donald Payne; grandchildren: Lee Crowder (Mandie), James Crowder, III (Katie), Matt Crowder (Tarah), Amy Williams (Scott), Ted Crowder, Mark Crowder (Lanie), Lori Chinn (Nick), Ashley Crowder, Walter Crowder, Jr., Toban Crowder (Brooke), Rilee Born (Kyle), Cody Crowder, Blake Crowder (Kristina), Melissa Crowder and Natalie Crowder; 27 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Visitation will be held Thursday, August 8, 2024 at James Crowder Funeral Home in La Marque from 3:00pm – 8:00pm with a vigil at 6:00pm. A funeral service will begin at 10:00am on Friday, August 9, 2024 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in La Marque with Msgr. James Anderson officiating; graveside to follow at Galveston Memorial Park in Hitchcock.
Pallbearers will be his nine grandsons.