On July 7, 2018, George Michael Crow, Sr., passed from his earthly life into the presence of his savior, just as he trusted he would.

Born July 1, 1933, in Muncie, Indiana, to Frederick B. and Edna E. (Tuten) Crow, he attended Blaine Elementary, McKinley Junior High, then graduated from Muncie Central Highschool in 1951, where he was involved in wrestling, football and the Indiana Golden Gloves competition.

George served in the Korean Conflict in which he gained experience as a cook and retained a love for baking all of his life.

He married the beautiful Wilma Colleen Williams on December 24, 1958.

He is survived by his children: Judy Swoape, Alexandria, Kentucky; Catherine Hargis (DeWayne) Muncie; George M. Crow, Jr. (Linda) Muncie; Angela (Aaron) Hyre, Indianapolis; and several loving nieces and nephews.

Grandchildren include: Travis (Meredith) Hargis; Jared (Abby) Hargis; Ted (Ali) Crow; Crystal Shields, Russell Shields Jr., Katie (Shad) Peters, Jordan (Natalie) Crow, Kristin Crow, Ashely Hyre, Allan (Rosy) Hyre, Amanda (Mike) Gee, Jada Shields Price and 21 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Wilma Colleen; his parents; his brother, Frederick Crow; infant sister, Catherine Crow; and children Randall Swoape, Allan Swoape, Darlene Crow Shields.

A lifelong parishioner of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Muncie, George was also a past president of the local chapter of the United Steel Workers for the Indiana American Water Company and a regular server in the Soup Kitchen of Muncie.

George was a hard worker who always looked forward to the next day's work. In the 1950s, he was employed at Malleable Foundry in Muncie. He occasionally tended bar and retired early from a 30-year career with the Indiana American Water Company in 1990, after which he focused on home repair and remodeling. He was as skilled at remodeling as he was baking bread. It was a joy to see him bring his thermos of black coffee for the day, chat with him about that current project or anything else about which he might want to opine and then watch him get to work.

George's interests included bowling, fishing, camping, baking and craftsmanship. Most of all, he loved spending time with Wilma and his family. He was never more fulfilled than spending annual vacations in Gatlinburg with all of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren coming and going throughout the week. One of the most treasured photos taken just a month ago in Gatlinburg shows him with many of his great-grandchildren on his lap or beside him, a huge smile on his face.

George was a generous man. He had a rare blood type and donated blood regularly. It was in his spirit to hold possessions loosely and give freely. People mattered to him, and once he met someone, he had a new friend who generally remembered him not only for his enthusiastic, incredibly strong handshake but also for his sense of humor, interest in their lives and multiple offers to help them with whatever they needed, with no interest in a return favor. It absolutely delighted him to give away loaves of bread fresh from the oven. To know George was to receive from his generous heart.

He was also renowned for his physical strength.  At George's 70th birthday party, he demonstrated his upper body strength by holding himself perpendicular to a flag pole, his body parallel to the ground, creating a sort of human flag.

But even more than his remarkable physical strength, skills and talents, George will be remembered for his faith, which gave him a positive, hopeful attitude about life. He never gave up on people or dire situations. He understood redemption and grace. His faith gave him the courage to face his own darkest moments and those of his family without giving up hope for change, triumph and peace. With the same faith, he faced his illness with courage, optimism and peace.

Finally, one of George's most defining characteristics that seemed more evident as his illness progressed was gratitude. Repeatedly and with tender emotion, he thanked his family, friends and professional caretakers for their help. It was easy for his children to be there for him because he was always there for them, but he never took their love for granted. He never complained about this final challenge, but he brought all that he had to the battle: courage, grace, faith, strength, gratitude, humor, hope, and a small army of a family who loved him fiercely. George M. Crow, Sr. was a force of energy and love on this earth that has deposited and etched him into our thoughts and hearts like no other. Again, to know George was to receive from him, but now he is receiving his reward, that of a good and faithful servant who lived and loved well. He will be missed, but we look forward to a great reunion.