Vallee Crowston

Val Crowston, 69, died March 28, 2007 at his Ocean Park residence. The son of Victor and Runa (Johnson) Crowston, he was born March 25, 1938 in the small faming community of Walhalla, North Dakota. When he was 6 years old he came west with his family, settling in what was then the rural town of Federal Way, Washington. There he attended school and graduated from Federal Way High School where he excelled in sports. In high school, Val the football player met Judith Brooks, the cheerleader, and they were married April 18, 1959 in Federal Way. Val attended college for a year in Spokane, majoring in journalism. Returning to Federal Way he worked as a reporter for the local newspaper before going to work at Boeing Aircraft. There he was an inspector and blue print instructor, retiring after 25 years. Having visited the Peninsula often over the years, he purchased a lot in Ocean Park, built his retirement home on a lake, moving there permanently in 1996. After moving to Ocean Park Val began his "second career" as a bus driver for Ocean Beach school district. He took great pride in the responsibility and enjoyed the interaction with both students and fellow drivers. He especially enjoyed out of town trips to the various activities and on the day before his passing took the Ilwaco High baseball team to Kalama, WA. Val was blessed with an outstanding singing voice and over the years sang semi-professionally at various events, often with his twin brother. There was almost no job or ask that Val couldn't master. He enjoyed fishing, but the best of times were with family. He often commented that his wife was the "love of my life and my best friend", and he will be remembered as a kind and generous man, and a friend to many. Val was baptized in the Lutheran faith and was active in the local school bus drivers union. Besides his wife of nearly 48 years, Val is survived by sons Lance Crowston of Auburn, WA, and Layne and wife Tami Crowston of Maple Valley, WA; daughter Laurie Crowston of Ocean Park; twin brother Victor Crowston of Centralia, WA; sisters Myrna Englund of Auburn, WA, Eyloise Luck of Spokane, WA and Lolly Smith of Puyallup, WA; grandchildren Vallori, Brandon, Jessica and Lacey Crowston. He was preceded in death by sister Sigrid and son Larron. Val's life was celebrated March 31, 2007 at Penttila's Chapel by The Sea, Long Beach. A reception followed at the chapel and his school bus, number 22, was parked out front of the chapel. The family requests memorials to the Peninsula Children's Account, PO Box 484, Ilwaco, WA 98624.