John "Jack" Howard Crowther

John “Jack” Howard Crowther passed away Sunday, March 26th at the age of 92. He was born on January 13th, 1925 to parents William Howard and Rose Genevieve. He was raised in St. Paul, MN and graduated from St. Paul Central High School. Throughout his youth, Jack was an avid Scouter, having attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He continued to serve as a Scoutmaster and was later awarded Scouting’s highest honor, the Silver Beaver, for his extraordinary service and commitment. Jack enlisted in the Marine Corps, proudly serving in World War II. He was stationed in the South Pacific. Semper Fi! Following the war, Jack attended and graduated from St. Thomas University.

Jack was a business leader in the Minnesota Insurance Industry. He founded, built, and sold numerous insurance businesses. He served as President of several national insurance trade organizations, and was instrumental in building the surplus lines industry nationwide. Jack always found time to give back to his community, and as an avid volunteer, he served on numerous Boards throughout Minneapolis including the Minneapolis Lion’s Club, Viking Council B.S.A, St. Stephen’s Church, the Minneapolis Society for the Blind, Children’s Theatre, as well as the Guthrie Theater. After moving to Big Sky with his wife Debbie, he continued to volunteer, serving as the Chairperson for Big Sky Water and Sewer District, and working on the Blue Water Task Force.

Jack spent the last twenty years as a full-time resident in Big Sky, Montana. With every person he encountered, he inevitably brought a smile to their face. He was always warm and genuine. Forever an optimist, Jack always chose to look on the bright side. To those who knew him, the universal declaration was “I want to be like Jack.” Jack skied until he was 88, shot ducks when he was 89, and played golf until he was 91. For 92 years, Jack changed the lives of those around him. He was both a leader and a cheerleader. He was a husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was good at them all. If asked to summarize his life, Jack would use a single word: Fabulous.

Jack is preceded in death by his parents and sister Catherine Mae. He is survived by his wife Debbie of Big Sky, MT; daughter Caren Bedard of St. Cloud, MN; son David (Lynne) Crowther of Eden Prairie, MN; son Douglas (Sarah) Crowther of Wayzata, MN. He was a proud grandfather of 8, and great-grandfather of 12.

A Celebration of Jack’s life will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 31st at the Big Sky Chapel. Memorials may be made in Jack’s honor to All Saint’s Parish in Big Sky, MT or the Big Sky Chapel.