Dale Crowder, age 89 of Malvern, died Friday morning, March 28, 2008 in the Malvern Nursing Home. He was born in Adona, Arkansas on November 24, 1918 to the late William A. and Lottie McGhee Crowder. Reared and educated in Perry County, he worked on his family's farm and served in the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's. A veteran of the United States Air Force, he served honorably and heroically in World War 2 as a tail gunner flying missions over Burma and Guam. He served the rest of his 22 years in various base locations across the U. S. and overseas in radio and crypto maintenance. During his years of service to his country, Mr. Crowder earned medals and commendations including three bronze stars. In the 1950's, whiled stationed on Johnston Island, near Hawaii, he built a large ham radio station from a kit, and was able to set it up so the soldiers could talk to their wives and family in the states. He made friends all over the world.

A resident of Malvern since 1962, he was a member of Keith Memorial United Methodist Church. He was a 32nd degree Mason, belonging to the Casa Lodge.

After retiring as Senior Master Sergeant, Mr. Crowder worked as a sales rep for Jordan and Gray Produce in Malvern from 1962 until 1972.For many years his favorite activity was raising and training beagles for field trials and hunting. He had a room full of trophies and ribbons from his prize-winning dogs, and was a long time member of the Malvern and Benton AKC Beagle Clubs.

He is survived by his beautiful wife of 65 years, Mildred Range Crowder, to whom he was married on March 20, 1943 in Laurel, Mississippi; by two daughters and sons-in-law, Rhonda and David Dortch of Paragould, Arkansas, and Reatha and William Overton of Malvern; by two sisters, R. Kathryn Young of Texarkana, Texas, and Doris McAlister and her husband, Kerry, of Austin, Texas; by four grandchildren, Ellen and Emily Goza of Malvern, Carrie Dortch of San Francisco, and Keith Dortch of Van Buren, Arkansas; by two great-grandchildren, Michael and Gabriel Dortch of Van Buren, Arkansas; and by many loved nieces and nephews.

Mr. Crowder was also preceded in death by two sons, Russell and James Crowder, by a brother, Don Crowder, and by a sister, Rachel Williams.

His funeral will be at ten o'clock Monday morning, March 31, 2008, in the chapel of J. A. Funk Funeral Home with the Reverend Regina Turner officiating. Graveside services will be held two o'clock that afternoon in the Adona Cemetery, at Adona, Arkansas.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday morning one hour prior to the service.

Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.