Victor Bruce Crowl

In loving memory of Victor Bruce Crowl, 85 years old, born on May 22, 1940, and passed away on Thursday, September 25. A devoted husband, cherished father and proud grandfather, his love, humor and kindness will remain with us always. His humor lives on through his boys and will be forever in our hearts.

Bruce Crowl built a remarkable career sharing his computer expertise at Amoco Corporation in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His career eventually brought him to Houston, Texas, where he made a home in a Copperfield neighborhood. Over the years, several of his children and grandchildren lived with him, creating treasured memories in his welcoming home and by his beautiful backyard pool. Bruce spent much of his childhood in the Kiowa, Kansas and Burlington, Oklahoma areas including a summer on his grandfather's farm outside of Burlington, Oklahoma. He graduated from Burlington High School in Burlington, Oklahoma and soon after married Darlene Schurter.

They began their family with four boys each born 18 months apart. Bruce was a man of generosity and warmth, always opening his doors to family with love and kindness. A familiar and favorite saying was "Yabba, Dabba, Doo".

Bruce began his college studies ultimately achieving a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Finance at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Oklahoma and a master's degree in Chemistry at Tulsa University in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

After retiring from Amoco, Bruce began a second career that brought him immense joy, teaching mathematics at Lone Star College, Cypress. For more than twenty years, he shared not only his knowledge but also his humor, making even calculus seem enjoyable. His students loved and respected him, he was always willing to meet with them any time, any place, to provide guidance and encouragement

A new chapter of Bruce’s life began in 2005 when he met Cynthia Ann Hall (Cindy). Their courtship started with six weeks of emails before they finally met in person for dinner at The Taste of Texas. The conversation lasted two hours and from that evening forward, they were inseparable. Together they traveled often, returning year after year to Cabo San Lucas until the pandemic, along with visits to other destinations in Mexico and a special trip to Paris. He and Cindy purchased a home across the street from the college, allowing him to ride his bike to class.

Bruce proposed in his characteristically thoughtful way, on one knee in the kitchen while Cindy wore her rubber gloves at the sink. A candlelit dinner followed and soon plans were underway for their wedding on the 20th of September 2008. Hurricane Ike tried to disrupt many of the arrangements, but it did not keep the day from being filled with laughter and love. The celebration was complete with cake and cupcakes from Oo-La-La and empanadas from Marini’s Empanada House. Bruce and Cindy spent their wedding night at La Mansion del Rio in San Antonio, beginning what would become seventeen wonderful years of marriage. Friday nights were always special. Each week Cindy and Bruce took turns selecting a restaurant.

Bruce embraced Cindy’s son, Mark, and daughter, Jenn, as if they were his own. Together, he and Cindy delighted in family trips to visit Mark and his family in Kauai, as well as journeys to Murray, Kentucky, and then Ithaca, New York, to spend time with Jenn and her family. Over the years, their family continued to grow with the addition of many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, each welcomed by Bruce with open arms and great joy.

On September 25th Bruce died suddenly, a heartbreaking shock to all who loved him. He is survived by his devoted wife Cindy, children Michael, Terry, and Greg, Cindy's children Jenn and Mark along with his many cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his beloved son, Marty.

Bruce will be remembered for his love of family, his kindness and his quick wit. Though deeply missed, his legacy of warmth and generosity lives on in those who knew him. As a faithful Christian, we find comfort in knowing he is now in the arms of his Lord and Savior. May God continue to bless you, Bruce.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Catholic Charities of Houston or Shriners Children Hospital, Houston.