Thomas Winston Crowe

Thomas Winston Crowe was born on August 23, 1947 in Hillsboro, Texas to Curtis William Crowe and Ouida A. Crowe and died on August 21, 2026 in Houston, Texas at the age of 78.He was preceded in death by his Dad in 2002 and his Mom in 2007, and his brother Richard Crowe, born on March 16, 1954. Richard died in a tragic accident on February 16, 1974 at the age of nineteen, affecting Tom deeply for life.Tom graduated from Robert E. Lee High School (now Margaret Long Wisdom High School) and before entering seminary, he graduated from the University of Houston.A United Methodist Minister in the Texas Annual Conference, Tom was ordained a Deacon in 1972 and ordained an Elder in 1975.After receiving his Master of Divinity Degree in 1974 at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Tom began his ministry in United Methodist Churches, first as an Associate Minister at Beaumont First UMC. After Ordination as an Elder, he served other UMC Churches: Beckville, Allison Chapel; Tomball, Rose Hill; Nacogdoches, Perritte Memorial; Aldergate Trinity; Longview, Winterfield; Houston, St. Matthews; Bay City First; Winnie-Stovall First; Texas City, St. John’s. He retired January 1, 2011, leaving a legacy of excellence in preaching, leadership, and compassion for people and their spiritual nurture as he served his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.Tom was married to Virginia Irene Snell for 17 years, from 1983 until her death in 2001. He was married to Linda Mauboules Betts for 16 years, from 2007 until her death in 2023. Tom was a romantic at heart. He was devoted to them both, in ordinary life, and on exciting trips where his hobby as a photographer helped him capture moments he treasured, triggering smiles and exuberant stories. Tom’s compassion deepened to consummate caregiving in their final illnesses.In addition to Tom’s passion for ministry, he passionately loved music. An accomplished jazz saxophonist, Tom also collected vintage saxophones representing those played by famous musicians. His enthusiasm for his collection bubbled over into hours of conversation about them and the history of jazz. He was equally effervescent over his collection of antique firearms and cowboy and western memorabilia, and could entertain himself and others endlessly as he told stories about each one and their place in the history of America.He is also predeceased by… uncles: James Raymond Crowe and spouse, Kathleen Crowe; Vic Crowe and spouse, Ann Crowe; Gordon Crowe and spouse, Christine Crowe; Desmond Crowe and spouse, Billie Crowe… and by cousins: Jeffrey Crowe, of Houston; Ronnie Crowe, of Louisiana; Steve Crowe, of Louisiana; Judy Beth Crowe, of Louisiana.He is survived by cousins: Dennis Crowe and spouse, Helen, of Houston; Kathy Hurley and spouse, Perry, of Houston: Debbie Bridges of Galveston; Pam Crowe, of Louisiana… and numerous nieces and nephews.Tom leaves a legacy of untold numbers of church folk faithfully served, a family who loves him, many friends and colleagues who have cherished the journey with him and more hilarious stories he loved to tell than a library could contain.A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 2, 2026 in the chapel of Clarewood House, 7400 Clarewood Drive, Houston Texas 77036, followed by a reception there and a private interment later at Roselawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Van Vleck, Texas.