David Alexander Crowell, age 89, of Ocean County New Jersey, passed away on Wednesday March 21st, 2018 at the Ocean Medical Center in Brick, NJ. He was born December 6th, 1928 in Rahway, NJ to the late Marjorie Bliss Crowell, and Stewart Crowell Jr.
Being raised in Hazlet, NJ, David moved to Fair Haven, eventually settling in Bricktown, NJ to raise his family. Upon retiring from Merck & Co. after 22 years, he and his wife moved to New Bern, NC, until returning to the Jersey Shore area three years ago.
David graduated as senior class president of Keyport High School in June of 1947, and worked for Standard Oil sailing T-2 tankers from 1947 to 1949. On March 7th, 1949 he entered the U.S. Army and attended basic training at Fort Ord, CA. Following basic training, he attended radar school at Fort Bliss, TX, and was then sent to Korea where he was awarded the bronze star for heroic actions in duty. Upon returning stateside in 1952 he attended the Biological, Chemical and, Radiological Warfare School in Fort Bliss TX, where his class attended the Tower Shot of the Atomic Bomb in Frenchmans Flats, NV. He was then discharged in June of 1952.
Being the social and outgoing person he was, David took pride in being a member of many organizations. He was a Master Mason and member of the Durand Lodge in Point Pleasant, NJ, the St. John's Lodge, the Scottish Rite, and the Shriners all of New Bern, NC. He was a life member of The American Legion, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, The Society of the Third Infantry Division, The 10th Field Artillery Regiment Association, The Army Chapter of the Chosen Few, The Korean War Veterans N.C. Chapter 265, and the Disabled American Veterans. He was also a member of National Association of Atomic Veterans and the Scottish Heritage Society of Eastern N.C., Inc, and an exempt fireman of the Fair Haven Volunteer Fire Company in Fair Haven, NJ.
He was predeceased by his siblings, Claire Clayton, Col. Steven S. Crowell, and Sara Jane (Sally) MacDonald. He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years Jean (Stadler) Crowell; three children, Douglas Crowell, Dennis Crowell and his wife Frances, and Linda Rabbitt and her husband Timothy; five grandchildren, Brian Rabbitt, Jacqueline Fitzpatrick, Kyle Rabbitt, Melissa Crowell, and Dennis David Crowell; five great-grandchildren, Connor Underwood, Jake Rabbitt, Haidyn Rabbitt, Hudson Fitzpatrick and Rilynn Rabbitt; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be conducted April 21st, at 1:30 PM at the Brick Presbyterian Church, 111 Drum Point Rd, Brick, NJ 08723.
David will be laid to rest privately in the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Brick Presbyterian Church, 111 Drum Point Rd, Brick, NJ 08723 or the Wounded Warrior Project by visiting www.woundedwarrior.org
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.DEliaFuneralHome.com for the Crowell family.
