Obituary for Robert King Crowell of Southern Pines

Robert King Crowell, 88, of Southern Pines, NC. passed away peacefully February 22, 2023 at First Health Hospice House.

Bob was born October 22, 1934 in Bluefield, W. Virginia to the late James Edward and Lucille Vermillion Crowell. He graduated Concord College (now University) and attended the University of Ohio for graduate work before entering the US Army in1958.  While in the Army, he served as a counter intelligence officer at Fort Holabird, Maryland.  He later taught high school history in both Richmond, Virginia and Charlotte, North Carolina. While teaching at George Wythe High School in Richmond, he made national and international recognition for teaching the first-ever curriculum on communism.  He was described in the Richmond News Ledger as a “youthful looking teacher with a flair for the dramatic.” He was later awarded the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge Classroom Teachers Medal.

In 1963, he answered the call to enter Federal service and joined the Department of Commerce, Weather Bureau, as a management analyst and later as the Executive Officer of the National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, serving in the Washington DC area.  He retired from his Federal service in 1990. In 2006, he relocated to Southern Pines to be closer to his children (and the golf courses).

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his younger brother, James E. Crowell, Jr.

He is survived by his wife Jerrilyn (Jeri) of Southern Pines, sister Diana (Ben) Tibbs of Gaithersburg, Md., niece Donna (Chris) and sons Daniel, Nicholos, and Benjamin Lowell of Poolesville, Md., daughters Kimberly Hagler Crowell and Melinda Leigh Crowell of Shelby, NC,  his son James E (Katherine) Crowell III of Kings Mountain, NC. and their mother Margo A. Crowell of Shelby, NC.   He also leaves his five grandchildren – Jacqueline, Marlee, Leah, William, and David.

The family would like to thank the many doctors, nurses, and staff at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital and the FirstHealth Hospice House for their compassionate care and dedication.

Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com 

Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

Services to be determined will be at a later date.

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