Lee Crowley

LEE PAUL CROWLEY, 86, passed peacefully at home on December 13, 2023. A lifelong resident of Long Beach, he was one of 8 children born to Daniel J. “Jim” and Ruth (Lindsey) Crowley. Lee was born at home on October 3, 1937 and the story is told that when his mother was about to deliver, the family let the switchboard operator know, who then patched the connecting cord directly into Dr. D. M. Strang’s phone socket connecting the two homes, Dr. Strang’s delivery charge was $35.00.

Lee attended Long Beach elementary and graduated from Ilwaco High School with the class of 1955. He participated in track while a Fisherman.

Not surprisingly, Lee began a career as a cranberry grower. His father came to the Peninsula in the 1920s as part of the cranberry research project which was instrumental in development of many innovations in cranberry farming. For the ensuing 50 years Lee raised cranberries. He was an Ocean Spray grower; active with the Long Beach Cranberry Growers Association, serving as board member and treasurer; and volunteer at the Pacific Coast Cranberry Research Center. Additionally he served the Lone Fir Cemetery Association, and was active at Ocean Beach Presbyterian Church where in past years he was a deacon and treasurer. Lee enjoyed many lifelong friendships, cherished time with family, and in past years was a square dancer.

On June 20, 1992 he married Melinda Harpe at his residence in Long Beach. She survives. Also surviving are sister Rosanne Sallee, step-children Steven Harpe and Rhonda Harpe; and numerous nieces and nephews and members of his extended family, He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Eugene Crowley, Eileen Dawson, Eva Nordstrom, Donnelle Sawin, James Crowley, David Crowley, and step-son Gary Crowley.

Funeral service will be Tuesday, December 19, 2023, 11:00 AM at Ocean Beach Presbyterian Church in Seaview. Graveside service follows at Lone Fir Cemetery with a reception at the Cranberry Museum on Pioneer Road. Memorials may be made in Lee’s memory to the Lone Fir Cemetery Association, PO Box 674, Long Beach 98631 or the Pacific Coast Cranberry Research Foundation, 2500 Sandridge Road, Ilwaco 98624.