Verner Dewayne Crowder was born on January 19, 1926 in Corn, Oklahoma to Dr. Verner Faye and Ella Mae (Weichel) Crowder . Vern left this life on October 2, 2004, at the age of 78 years, 8 months, and 13 days. Vern was a devoted husband and father, and was an inspiration to all who knew him.

Vern was raised in Corn and graduated from high school there. He was united in holy matrimony to Martha Louise Penner on May 26, 1946, in Corn. Vern and Lou made their home in Cowden, Oklahoma and in Enid, Oklahoma before settling in Bethany, Oklahoma in1952. Their home became the gathering spot over the years to not only the friends of their two children, but also to an assortment of nieces and nephews, and later, to their grandnieces and nephews. They were known for opening their home and their hearts to everyone.

Vern was a member of the Westlake Presbyterian Church, where he served several terms as elder and was a member of the Gadabouts. His complete devotion in faith was pure and evident to everyone.

Vern worked for 25 years for Western Electric, known later as AT&T. He retired in 1985, after 25 years with the company. He was a lifetime member of the Telephone Pioneers of America, Southwest Chapter #136. During his years of retirement, Vern remained very active, and devoted much of his time to volunteer work. Those groups to which he so tirelessly devoted his time include Friends of the Metropolitan Library of Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma Literacy Council, the State Fair of Oklahoma, R.S.V.P., and Frontier Hospice. He was also a dedicated member of the Senior Citizen's Centers of Bethany and Yukon.

Vern was also an avid collector, and was an active member of the Sooner Bottle and Specialty Club of Oklahoma City. Vern and Lou traveled extensively attending regional, national, and international Bottle Club Conventions, and visited each of the 50 states over the years. Vern was also a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, and was a 50+ year member of the Masonic Lodge of Weatherford, Oklahoma.

Vern is survived by his wife of 58 years, Louise, of the home in Bethany; daughter Joy and her husband Richard Dearhamer of Mesa, Arizona; and son Don Crowder and his wife Sabine of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Mickey Jones of Mesa, Arizona and Leonard Dearhamer and his wife Brandy of Elk City, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Vern's name to Westlake Presbyterian Church, 2801 N. Rockwell, Bethany, Oklahoma 73008.

Services will be held Tuesday, October 5, 2004 at 10:00am, at Mercer-Adams Funeral Home, 3925 N. Asbury, Bethany, Oklahoma.