E.J. Crownover

E J Crownover, 93 a longtime Fort Sumner resident died Sunday, January 22, 2006 at Laurel Ridge Care Center in Clovis, NM following an illness. E.J. was born April 6, 1912 in Clyde, Texas to the home of Jim W. Crownover and the former Lena L. Hargrove. He was reared and attended school at Fort Sumner. E J married Helen Wright on October 12, 1940 in Santa Rosa; they made their home in the Fort Sumner valley. E J was a veteran of WW II he served from June 19, 1944 until his honorable discharge on December 21, 1945. He was a Private First Class with Company E, 517 Parachute Infantry Regiment. He joined 17th Airborne and was later attached to the 101st Airborne Division. He served in Rhineland and Central Europe and was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Bronze Arrow Head Victory Medal. E J was a member of the First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner since 1957. He operated a school bus route for 47 years; owned and operated a wholesale and retail gas company in Fort Sumner for many years. E J enjoyed camping, fishing and playing golf. E J was preceded in death by his wife Helen Crownover; and his parents. Survivors include two daughters Jo Ann Schumaker of Surprise, AZ; Judy Hinde and husband Tom of Las Cruces, NM; two sons Alan Crownover and wife Dee of Estancia and Russell Crownover and wife Nancy of Clovis. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren along with other relatives and many friends. Graveside funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 25, 2006 from the Fort Sumner Cemetery with Anna Teeter officiating. Pallbearers will be his grandsons. The family prefers memorial contributions to the Fort Sumner Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 180; Fort Sumner, New Mexico 88119. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 804 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (505) 355-2311 www.chavezfuneralhome.com