Obituaries
Dr. Gordon Cameron Crowell
( January 18, 1933 - July 7, 2022 )
Dr. Gordon Cameron Crowell, M.D., of Lincolnton, NC, passed away peacefully on the morning of Thursday, July 7, 2022, survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Frances (née Rodgers). Also surviving are son Tom Crowell (Janice) of Douglasville, GA; daughter Carolyn Early of Raleigh; son Billy Crowell of Lincolnton; daughter Catherine Pavur (Bradd) of Raleigh; grandson Brian Crowell (Diana) of Powder Springs, GA; granddaughter Morning Lynn (Cody) of Douglasville, GA; granddaughter and grandson Stephanie Caroline Pavur and John Pavur of Raleigh; great-granddaughters Aria Lynn, Lilith Lynn, and Celes Lynn of Douglasville, GA; sisters Jenny Crowell of Lincolnton and Ruth Luckett (Doug) of Marietta, GA, and numerous nieces and nephews. Dr. Crowell was predeceased by sisters Marilynn George and Crissy Campbell, and nephew Chip George.
Dr. Crowell was born on January 18, 1933 in Lincolnton, NC to the late Dr. Lester A. Crowell, Jr., and Elaine Deal Crowell, as the oldest child and only son of their five children. He was graduated from Lincolnton High School in 1950, and then entered the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he was Phi Beta Kappa and a member of Chi Phi fraternity. He finished his undergraduate studies in three years and was graduated as a member of the class of 1954. He then entered medical school at UNC, following the career path of his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. After receiving his medical degree in 1957, he completed his internship at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, GA. He then served as a physician at the rank of captain with the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960, stationed at Fort Riley, KS. Following his military service, he returned to Grady Memorial Hospital for his residency, during which he was named Chief Resident. Dr. Crowell then moved back to Lincolnton to establish his medical practice, and was certified as a specialist in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. During his career, he was a member of the Lincoln County Hospital Board of Directors. After thirty years of practice, Dr. Crowell retired.
During his years at UNC, Gordon met Frances, who was a student at Duke, and it was love at first sight. They were married in June 1955 and, despite their UNC-Duke rivalry, their love lasted 67 years. Gordon will always be remembered for his love of the Tarheels and the Lincolnton Wolves, his obsession with all things sports, and his passion for handball – which he continued to play well into his 80s. He served the Lincolnton community as a respected, trusted family physician for thirty years, including a stint as physician for the Lincolnton High School football team, but he was so much more than just a doctor. He was a voracious reader, student of politics, history buff, writer of novels, sometime newspaper columnist, teller of jokes and family stories, devoted member of his Rotary group, and seeker of faith. He had a strong, big personality. But, most of all, he will be remembered for his faithful devotion to his wife, Frances, and his recognition, especially in his later years, that his children and family were the greatest gifts he had received.
On Monday, July 18, the family will receive friends at Covenant Church in Lincolnton, beginning at 11:30 am, and a Funeral Service will begin at 1:00 pm, with burial to follow in Hollybrook Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Dr. Crowell was born on January 18, 1933 in Lincolnton, NC to the late Dr. Lester A. Crowell, Jr., and Elaine Deal Crowell, as the oldest child and only son of their five children. He was graduated from Lincolnton High School in 1950, and then entered the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he was Phi Beta Kappa and a member of Chi Phi fraternity. He finished his undergraduate studies in three years and was graduated as a member of the class of 1954. He then entered medical school at UNC, following the career path of his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. After receiving his medical degree in 1957, he completed his internship at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, GA. He then served as a physician at the rank of captain with the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960, stationed at Fort Riley, KS. Following his military service, he returned to Grady Memorial Hospital for his residency, during which he was named Chief Resident. Dr. Crowell then moved back to Lincolnton to establish his medical practice, and was certified as a specialist in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. During his career, he was a member of the Lincoln County Hospital Board of Directors. After thirty years of practice, Dr. Crowell retired.
During his years at UNC, Gordon met Frances, who was a student at Duke, and it was love at first sight. They were married in June 1955 and, despite their UNC-Duke rivalry, their love lasted 67 years. Gordon will always be remembered for his love of the Tarheels and the Lincolnton Wolves, his obsession with all things sports, and his passion for handball – which he continued to play well into his 80s. He served the Lincolnton community as a respected, trusted family physician for thirty years, including a stint as physician for the Lincolnton High School football team, but he was so much more than just a doctor. He was a voracious reader, student of politics, history buff, writer of novels, sometime newspaper columnist, teller of jokes and family stories, devoted member of his Rotary group, and seeker of faith. He had a strong, big personality. But, most of all, he will be remembered for his faithful devotion to his wife, Frances, and his recognition, especially in his later years, that his children and family were the greatest gifts he had received.
On Monday, July 18, the family will receive friends at Covenant Church in Lincolnton, beginning at 11:30 am, and a Funeral Service will begin at 1:00 pm, with burial to follow in Hollybrook Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Posted on 10 Jul 2022
Current Information
Contact
125 Dave Warlick Drive
Lincolnton, NC 28092
704/735-2521