Junior Crowder
November 30, -0001

Junior Jess Crowder, one of two sons of Jess and Marthina Marie (Fredericks) Crowder, was born at St. Joseph Hospital in Omaha, NE on July 19, 1925. The family lived on a farm near Villisca, IA where Junior attended school through the first grade. Junior's family moved to Macedonia, IA during Junior's second year of school. This same year Junior's mother, Marthina, became ill and passed away on Christmas day. Following their mother's death Dale Williams helped take care of Junior and his brother Bob. They later moved in with Homer and Millie Clayton who cared for their needs. Junior moved to Carson, IA to live with his father, stepmother Allie, and her two sons. Junior was a tremendous ball player. In 1944 Junior and his parents moved to a farm near Villisca. Junior's was asked to try-out with the New York Yankees, however his father encouraged him to stay on at the farm rather than pursue a career in professional baseball. In 1955 Junior, Jess, and Allie moved back to Carson and established a restaurant business downtown. Junior took over the restaurant in 1970 and retired in 1990. Junior continued his love of baseball and could be counted on to play for anyone who needed him. He took great pride in the Carson Little League program serving as the coach and program administrator for many years.
Junior died at the Jenny Edmundson Memorial Hospital in Council Bluffs, IA having attained the age of 76 years 11 months and 4 days. He is preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his brother Robert Crowder and companion Gladys Eckert of Carson, Iowa; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

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