Ron Crowder Memorial Education Fund "Shelby's Promise"

“Shelby’s Purpose”

Our good friend Ron Crowder passed away February 22, 2025. Ron and his devoted wife of 33 years, Jackie, are the proud grandparents to 7-year-old Shelby Crowder, who they have raised as their own. The education and development of Shelby has always been front and center in their lives. And at her young age, she has fallen in love with art. A group of us started this campaign “Shelby’s Purpose” to honor Ron’s memory by raising donations to ensure Shelby will have the opportunity to explore and discover her own north star, her “Purpose”, with the benefit of higher education, albeit art or any vocation that she sets her sights on. We want Jackie to have the flexibility to use up to 30% of the funds raised as needed for Shelby’s pre-tertiary education and development costs, or, for expenses in the case of an emergency that directly impacts Shelby’s safety or well-being.

(Excerpts from Ron’s Obituary)

Ron is survived by his devoted wife of 33 years, Jackie Crowder; his beloved sons, Bryan (wife Tori) and Nicholas Crowder; and his cherished daughter, Crystal Crowder along with extended family members, Sister-in-law, Kathy (Ronnie) Acker, Brother-in-law, Tim McBryde, and niece Angela (Michael) Knipe. Ron was a proud grandfather to Shelby Crowder (who he and Jackie were raising as their own), Mckinzie Crowder, Dasia Humphry, Olivia Groves, and Addilyn Crowder. He is mourned by his father, Ronald Crowder, Sr. Ron, and was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Sue Crowder.

As an avid sports fan, Ron held a special passion for hockey and dedicated over 15 years to coaching his sons' hockey teams, while showing unwavering support for his daughter's soccer pursuits. He never missed a practice or game, demonstrating his commitment not only to his family but also to the values of teamwork and perseverance. Ron was also a talented golfer, having been a member of his Skyline High School golf team, and continued to play avidly throughout his life.

Ron was an insurance agent for over 25 years, holding several positions from owning his agency to being a property and casualty adjuster until he was forced to retire due to health issues.

Ron shared a deep bond with his father, often spending weekends hunting together at their deer lease during hunting season. His adventurous spirit was further exemplified in 2005 when he served as a catastrophe adjuster in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Despite facing life-altering injuries from a serious accident during his deployment, Ron faced his challenges with remarkable resilience. Even after suffering strokes in 2017 and 2022, he remained hopeful for recovery, embodying his motto, "live life one day at a time."

Ron's spirit and tenacity will forever inspire those who knew him.

Shelby’s Story

Ron’s daughter from his first marriage came upon hard times. She conceived 2 weeks before she was arrested for cause and incarcerated. She called Ron and Jackie in June 2017 explained the situation and asked if Ron and Jackie could take the soon to be born baby for the first year until she was released. Ron and Jackie explained they could not take the baby because Ron, who had just had his first stroke was still in outpatient rehab. After the mother investigated all possible solutions, the only viable option appeared to be placing the newborn in the foster care system.

Ron and Jackie received a call on July 5th saying that the baby girl was born on the 4th and they had 48 hours to come to Galveston to pick her up or she would be turned over to Child Protective Services. Ron and Jackie decided then they could not let the baby get lost in the foster care system, so they drove to Galveston on July 6th with only a car seat and returned to Mesquite the next morning with a beautiful newborn sitting in it, Shelby. She was born with a right broken clavicle, but it healed naturally, and she’s been healthy ever since. Ron and Jackie have raised Shelby since then. Now, 7 years later, Shelby has grown to become a very loving, compassionate, strong-willed little girl. Never meets a stranger. Since kindergarten, every Friday after school, they go to McDonald’s with three or more of her friends from school. Sometimes 10 kids from her class show up. Jackie says, “It is so much fun to see them all together building friendships.” Jackie added, “While Shelby knows we are not her real mom and dad, but calls Ron and I, mom and dad anyway. We are the only parents she has ever known. She is the light of our lives.”

Thank You

Just before we published this, we heard from Jackie. She said “Words cannot express what I am feeling right now. I am humbled by the outpouring of love and support from so many. This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do on my own as Ron has always been there to help. I guess he prepped me the last few years in taking everything over as he always paid the bills. I worked while he paid the bills and took care of the kids, but I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. He was a great dad. He was so strong. Not many could have endured everything he had gone through with the diabetes, strokes, heart attacks, kidney disease, and many others.”

We are grateful for all who honor Ron’s memory by supporting Shelby’s Purpose”. She’s a terrific kid. And whether you can or can’t give, we would be most grateful, as Jackie would be, for your continued prayers as they navigate their new world with Ron’s passing.

Tom Moroch, Pat Kempf & Matt Powell