Former principal chief dies

By Rose Hooper

In what was most likely his last public appearance, former Principal Chief John Crowe, right, shoveled the first dirt during the groundbreaking of the Cherokee recreation complex, which was named in his honor. Chief Leon Jones, left, and Crowe's son and Vice Chief, Carroll Crowe, center, also participated in the Feb. 11, 2000, ceremony.

Crowe served as principal chief for 10 1/2 years, coming into office when Chief Noah Powell died in 1973. As vice chief, Crowe stepped up and was then elected chief in 1975 and 1979. During the 1975 election, he received 86 percent of the votes, a record, according to tribal members.

"He did a tremendous job for the tribe for many, many years," said Ray Kinsland, who officiated at his funeral. "He lived a life of Christian character and was a good role model for his people. He lived his life as an example, inspiring us to do better."

Crowe was perhaps best known for his support of youth in the fields of education and in sports. Fittingly, reservation schools and offices shut down Friday so friends could attend his funeral held at the Charles George Gymnasium.

Tribal council honored Crowe's dedication in a tribal resolution Feb. 11, 2000, naming the tribe's new recreation complex the John Crowe Softball and Recreation Complex. Neither frail health nor a wheelchair stopped Crowe from shoveling the first dirt at the 27-acre site.

The groundbreaking ceremony marked perhaps his last public experience, according to Principal Chief Leon Jones. Before that, one of his last public appearances occurred when his son Carroll Crowe was sworn in as vice chief in October 1999.

"He had wanted his son to run for office for a long time, and I think that was one of his proudest moments," said Jones, who was sworn in as chief at the same time.

Because Crowe was a quiet man, many people did not realized his list of accomplishments was so long, friends say. During his term, both a new high school and a new hospital were built.

"He had a wonderful sense of humor, quite sharp witted, and that humor made our loads lighter," said Kinsland. "He took his work seriously, but not himself."

At his funeral, the Rev. Dale Banks, Crowe's former pastor at Big Witch Baptist Church, called him "the most outstanding Sunday school teacher I ever knew."

A humble man, Crowe treated everyone the same, from little kids to the president of the United States, Kinsland said.

Friends said the former chief and his wife, Ollie, who he was married to for 48 years, had "a talent for making everybody feel special."

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