Darrell Dean Crown

Darrell Dean Crown

Darrell Dean Crown, age 68, of Hollister, MO, left his earthly home, as a result of a stroke, to join his loved ones in Heaven on, Friday morning, October 7,2022, at Cox South, Springfield, Mo. He was born May 4, 1954, in Fort Scott, Kan., to Mahlon Dale Crown and Wilma Lois (McBride) Crown. He had five brothers and one sister. His favorite pastime was exploring old Buck Run, doing math problems, and teasing his sister, Carolyn Sue. As a young boy, Darrell enjoyed collecting Marvel Comics, most of which he had for over 50 years. As an adult, he loved the Marvel Universe movies, with the Hulk being his favorite character. Many a Sunday afternoon he could be heard rooting the Kansas City Chiefs on and during the summer cheering on the Kansas City Royals.

He attended Fort Scott elementary and secondary schools, as well as Fort Scott Community Junior College. Following junior college, he went on to get a BS degree in mathematics from Pittsburg State University and later received a MS in teaching from the same University. Before being disabled, he had a long career in IT/computer programming, first with Western Insurance, then American States Insurance and finally Safeco Insurance. The job he most fondly remembers however, is being a carhop at the Dairy Mug in Fort Scott and making lifelong friends with many of his coworkers. He moved around to several states with his jobs but will always consider Fort Scott, Kan., his home.

Although he came from a large family, he also considered his church community to be his family. Church is where Darrell truly shined. He was ordained into the ministry at age 17 as a deacon, from where he continued his ministry as a priest, an elder and pastor of two congregations. Physically he was slowing down some, but still felt he had two sermons left that he wanted to share with others. Even after his first stroke, he always maintained his “preacher voice.” Pryor to that he spent many years singing in his home congregation, at camps, conferences and even a few plays! His favorite song to sing was always “The Lord’s Prayer.” He loved having his sons sing the song with him as a trio. Darrell transferred his church membership to various congregations, due to his moves, but his last membership was held at the Community of Christ, Branson, Mo.

Darrell married Cynthia Ann George on Aug. 14, 1981, at Nevada, Mo., in an evening ceremony at the Community Christian Church. They were married for 41 years but were high school sweethearts of 50 years. From their union two sons were born, Joshua and Kevin.

He is survived by his wife Cynthia, sons, Joshua Crown, and Kevin Crown (Lyndsey) and the loves of his life his two granddaughters, Annabelle Beverly (Lady Bug) and Piper Ruth (Bumble Bee), brother, Steven Crown, Joplin, Mo., and sister Carolyn Sue Hight (Danny), Oak Grove, Mo., and sisters-in-law, Marilyn Crown, and Jill Crown, along with several cousins, numerous nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Gary, Richard, David, and Dana Crown, his parents-in-law Delbert and Beverly George.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 21, at the Cheney Witt Chapel, Fort Scott, Kan. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday from 10 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorials would be made to the American Stroke Association and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.