Obituary for Douglas Owen Crewse Crewse, Douglas Owen, 67, of Flower Mound, TX, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday July 29, 2018, while hospitalized for a treatable infection in his esophagus, and complications from the infection. His wife, Linda, was by his side throughout his hospitalization, and along with Doug’s son, James, was with him, talking to him, and holding his hand at the very end. Doug was born on January 3, 1951 at Fairchild Airforce Base in Spokane, WA and lived many places during his childhood, including Spokane, Everton, MO, Andersen AFB in Guam, MacDill AFB in Tampa, FL, Wurtsmith AFB in Oscoda, MI, and Vandenberg AFB in Lompoc, CA, and finally, Bell Gardens, CA.
Although constantly being uprooted was not easy, Doug started each schoolyear with at least one friend, his loving older sister Carol, who acted as his personal bodyguard and biggest supporter, along with his mom, Lena. In 1969, Doug graduated from Bell Gardens High School, where he served as student body president, starred on the basketball and baseball teams, and worked as a morning janitor. Doug’s athletic and scholastic abilities, along with his drive to succeed despite serious financial hardships at home, did not go unnoticed, earning him numerous full-ride athletic scholarships from universities throughout the country, including to the Colorado School of Mines, Pepperdine University, and the Airforce Academy.
Doug, with his mother’s input and legendary basketball coach Bobby Knight’s persuasion, ultimately chose to attend the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY, where he received a Presidential appointment to play basketball. In 1974, Doug obtained an engineering degree from West Point and then served as a Special Agent Federal Criminal Investigator commanding units in the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI). In 1981, Doug obtained his MBA from Texas Tech University and founded Investigative Associates, Inc. specializing in corporate, legal, fraud and financial investigations, and obtained a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) designation.
During his 30-plus year investigative career, Doug found time to serve as a guest lecturer, mentor, and educator, and publish various investigative books and novels. Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Clarel and Lena Crewse, and is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Linda Kalmbach, his son, James Crewse, who he always referred to as “Cruiser,” and wife Kellie Crewse, his two-year-old granddaughter, Dylan Crewse, his sister, Carol Ann Knack, who he always referred to as “kid,” his niece, Tammy Borchardt, and his 17-year-old cockatiel Corky, who loved nothing more than to stand on Doug’s head. Doug loved his family dearly, and they loved and will always love him more than he will know.
Doug enjoyed many things, such as making people laugh, throwing parties, playing Texas HoldEm, and celebrating life. He was genuine and thoughtful, and stuck up for those who could not stand up for themselves. Doug overcame many obstacles, including childhood poverty, by hard work and self-determination, and for those who had the pleasure to know him, he taught them many things, and without a doubt, made this world a better place.
He will be missed, but never forgotten. Today’s Events Visitation , JUL 31. 07:00 PM – 09:00 PM Flower Mound Family Funeral Home 3550 Firewheel Drive Flower Mound, TX, US, 75028 info@flowermoundfuneralhome.com Upcoming Events Funeral Service , AUG 1.
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