Mr. Kenneth R. Crowder

CROWDER, Mr. Kenneth R. - Age 74, passed away Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at his residence in Benton Harbor, MI. Family hour 10:30 AM Thursday, April 27, 2023 from the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM. Pastor Kevin Williams, officiating. Interment Lovedale Memorial Cemetery, 5175 E. Bristol Rd., Burton, MI. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the chapel 10:30 AM Thursday. Public viewing will be during family hour only. Kenneth Ray Crowder passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 19, 2023, after a long battle with cancer. He was born in Pontiac, Michigan on May 2, 1948, the son of the late Charles William “Bill” and Myrtle (Bright) Crowder. He received Christ at an early age and always maintained a spiritual relationship with his Lord and Savior throughout his life. He graduated from Flint Southwestern High School in 1966 and attended Michigan State University before and after a return from serving his country as a Marine in the Vietnam war. He spent much of his career in the restaurant industry in multiple positions from owner and manager of his own restaurant, Kacey’s Barbeque Ribs and Chicken Restaurant, to managing other restaurants and being an Executive Sous Chef in both Southwest Michigan and New Orleans, LA. He also taught a course at Lake Michigan College to students who were interested in careers in the culinary field. Not afraid of work, he would often find additional jobs to do in the summer when there weren’t many sports on television. He worked as a supervisor at Best Buy for 10 years and after retirement began working security at River Terrace Apartments in Benton Harbor. Those that know him best know that he didn’t like to stay still. He was a proud marine that loved his family, playing and watching sports, especially his Michigan State Spartans and driving in his red Ford Mustang. He was always finding something to keep him busy. Whether it was an additional job, cooking after a long day of work, playing the lottery, or figuring out crime shows on TV. He also enjoyed spending time reminiscing with his cousins, and shopping both at Meijer and from late night infomercial sales to get the latest cooking gadgets. Kenneth was quite the athlete. Born with natural, God-given talent and skill, he played every sport for fun but really developed a craft for Basketball, Football and Track, which he played competitively throughout high school and college, then continued to play football semi-professionally. He played for the Flint Wildcats Semi-Professional football team in the 1970’s until an accident caused him to put up his cleats. Kenneth had a quiet demeanor but by no means was he shy. When there was sporting events on, he was watching, jumping, yelling, cheering on his team and trash-talking as much as possible. When his kids played sports, he came to their games, took pictures and video, sideline coached and kept up with all stats and accolades. He would often share stories of Cassandra and Catrina in softball and the school records they made to Shallena at her track meets and later the Spartan Marching Band at MSU, and Kenny Jr in football, basketball, soccer, and track. If his kids were in the paper, he’d drive out to find it no matter the city it was printed in and kept multiple copies of the articles. He had a love for his four children that went far beyond sports and was proud of each personal and professional accomplishment. His grandchildren lit up his world. They all vary in age, ranging from mid-30’s to age 2. He wasn’t the biggest fan of holding newborn babies but once they had head and neck control, he enjoyed buying toys, teaching sports, playing with, talking to, and spending time with all 8 of his grand kids. He enjoyed watching them grow and gain new interests in their lives. Mr. Kenneth Ray Crowder leaves behind: loving wife of 42 years, Michelle Crowder; daughters, Cassondra Crowder of Baltimore, MD, Catrina Crowder of Flint, MI, and Shallena (Jamein) Cunningham of Ithaca, NY; son, Kenny Crowder of Indianapolis, IN; 8 grandchildren, Denairio Crowder and Myteah Crowder of Baltimore, MD, Jasmine Crowder and Aaron Epps of Flint, MI, Jalen, Justice and BJ Cunningham, all of Ithaca, NY, Kennedy Crowder of Indianapolis, IN; 5 sisters-in-law, 2 brothers-in-law; niece, Margo Fisher; nephew, Tyrese Crowder; his favorite Aunt “Jo” Josephine Crowder; a host of cousins and friends. Mr. Crowder was preceded in death by his parents, Charles William “Bill” and Myrtle Crowder; twin older sisters, Diane and Deborah; brother, Melvin; ex-wife, Beatrice Crowder; niece, Deana Lewis; 5 uncles and 3 aunts.

Mr. Kenneth R. Crowder

May 2, 1948 - April 19, 2023