Ray (Pops) Thomson Crowley
Thomasville native Ray (Pops) Thomson Crowley died March 18 in Glenwood Springs. He was 87.
Ray was a lifelong resident of Colorado. He was born in Thomasville on Aug. 31, 1916. He was raised on a ranch in Thomasville and attended school in Meredith and Thomasville. He moved to Glenwood Springs with his brother Jim to attend high school, graduating in 1934.
He was employed as a lineman by Public Service Company of Colorado for 35 years, retiring in 1981.
Hunting and fishing were favorite activities and he was a familiar sight transporting countless friends and relatives on mountain trails in his red Jeep.
His favorite days were spent with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who gave him the title of “Honorary Mayor of Thomasville.”
He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Lula Crowley, of Thomasville; his wife of 49 years, Margaret (Dutch) Aldred; daughters, Susan Kay and Virginia Pearl; son-in-law Dennis Beitz of Topeka, Kan.; a grandson, Paul Woolsey; and brothers Eugene (Bud) Crowley of Denver, and Frank Crowley of Carbondale.
He is survived by his wife, Gervineer (Chic); children, John and Pat Crowley of Basalt, Wanda Beitz of Topeka, Kan.; and Janet and Sam Kramer, of Johnstown, Colo.
Grandchildren and great-grandchildren are as follows: Lynne and Marc Baker, Levi., Riggin, and Cole, Lawrence, Kan.; Steve and Diana Beitz, Kaya, Topeka, Kan.; Bill and Kari Crowley, Jaime and A.J., Basalt; Rhonda and Ducky Moser, Ellie and Maddie, Grand Junction; Suni Woolsey, San Diego, Calif.; and Kristeen Woolsey, Sheridan, Wyo.
His brother Jim Crowley of Rifle, and sisters Virginia Goode of Paonia, and Margie Graham of Dayton, Ohio, also survive.
Stepchildren include Lyle and Jacque Schoon, Basalt; Lonny Schoon, Basalt; Kim and Merri Schoon, New Castle; Don and Susan Schoon, Silt; Darla Ezel, Carbondale; and Sheri and Joe Allen, Nashville, Tenn.
Ray was much loved and will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Youth Recovery Center at Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs. An account has been established to accept such contributions at Alpine Bank, 0350 Hwy. 133, Carbondale, CO 81623.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. at Farnum-Holt Funeral Home, 405 West Seventh, Glenwood Springs. The family will receive friends immediately after the service at the Glenwood Springs Community Center.
