John Howard Crowson was born on July 12, 1961 to Douglas and Mary Crowson in Birmingham, Alabama. He was baptized, received his First Communion, and was confirmed in the Catholic Church.

As a young boy, John enjoyed fishing with his Dad and Grandpa, using bamboo poles. When John was 12, he and his family moved to Minnesota. John shared fond memories of spending time with his grandparents and family in Stillwater. One of his first cherished memories in Minnesota, was when he got a new bike while staying with his Aunt Kathy and family. John attended Johnson High School in St. Paul, and received his GED. He enlisted in the US Army and attended Boot Camp at Fort Dix, NJ; and was honorably discharged.

John worked various jobs as a dishwasher and waiter, which led him to Arizona. He had fond memories of riding dirt bike in the desert and looking at the stars.

John eventually found himself back in MN, where he met Roxanne VanOverbeke. They met through friends at the parade celebrating the 1987 Twins World Series Championship. John and Roxanne enjoyed numerous adventures including camping trips, agate hunting, and road trips in the historic Crowson family station wagon that he acquired from his mother. John and Roxanne were united in marriage at the Cathedral of St. Paul, on August 17th, 1996. Their adventures continued and brought them to San Francisco and the White Mountains of California, Yosemite, Key West Florida, Las Vegas NV, and the Grand Canyon AZ. John hauled scrap metal in his pickup, which led to his pallet business. John and Roxanne ran the business from 1999 to 2024, when John retired. This past year, John enjoyed reading his bible and the Diary of St. Faustina, and growing in his faith.

John was an admirer of the night sky and astronomy, and loved to explore. He enjoyed music and strumming on his guitar, playing Stairway to Heaven by memory for Rocky. John and Rocky could be found every game day in their Purple and Gold, cheering for the Minnesota Vikings. He enjoyed reading his bible, searching for agates, cooking and creating in the kitchen, and spending time with Rocky and his little dog Lucy.

John was loved and cherished, and he will be dearly missed.

John is survived by his wife of 28 years, Roxanne; and his little dog Lucy. Sisters: Penny (Pat) O’Kane, Kathy (Jack). Brothers: Tom, Bob (Paula), Geoff, Joe, Mark (Liz). Nieces: Becci, Brittany, Skylar, Amanda, and Bella. Nephews: Nick, Nate, Brandon, William, Zach, Simon, and Miles (Desi). Aunts: Susan (Dan) and Beth. Uncles: David and John. Cousins Kathleen, Michele, Jon, Jenny, Katy, Tessa, Eli, Colin, and David. Mother-in-law Delores VanOverbeke. Sister-in-laws: Connie (Steve) Donner, and Lisa VanOverbeke. Brother-in-laws: Terry VanOverbeke, Jeff (Sheila)

VanOverbeke, and Jason (Adam) VanOverbeke. Inherited nieces and nephews: Chad, Michael, Johann, Rihanna, and Ledger. Numerous other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents Mary and Bubs Gedatus, and Rube and Annie Crowson; aunts Kathy & Debbie; father-in-law Ronald VanOverbeke; sister-in-laws Cecelia Ann and Lorie Jo VanOverbeke; nephew Bradley VanOverbeke.