Leslie J. Crow

Leslie "Sonny" J. Crow, 73, formerly of Baker,Montana, passed away Wednesday, February 10, 2016 at Carnegie Village Senior Living Community in Belton, MO. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, February 15, 2016 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Baker, MT. Burial will take place in the Tuttle Cemetery in Rhame, ND. Family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, February 14, 2016 at Stevenson Funeral Home. Leslie was born September 8, 1942 in Bowman, ND, Sonny was the second of eleven children and the oldest son for John and Dorothy (Hanson) Crow. John moved his family about the tri-state region before ultimately settling in Marmarth, ND. Growing up Sonny spent a number of summers with his brothers, Dudley and Donny, working on Grandpa Hanson's ranch south of Rhame. He was a member of the last graduating class of Marmarth High School in 1960 and enlisted in the Army the day after graduation. He served at posts in Texas and California and spent one year in South Korea. He was proud to have served and the Army's structure and discipline left a positive lifelong impact. After his honorable discharge, he returned to North Dakota where he met the love of his life, Donna Griffith. They were married in Rapid City, SD on June 19, 1964 in a dual ceremony with Donna's sister, Mary Lou and Neal Stanhope. To their marriage were born three sons, Greg, Mark and Aaron. Sonny had the opportunity to try his hand at several occupations but primarily spent his career with Cenex working in the oil & gas industry and retiring in 1995. Sonny enjoyed heeling as a team roper and his best horse was a solid sorrel that he named "Spot." He was a member of the Rhame and Marmarth Saddle Clubs. Being involved at the Rhame Gala Day and Marmarth 4th of July rodeos was a constant for Sonny as he raised his boys. One day each year he was involved in law enforcement when the City of Rhame asked him to wear a badge on Gala Days for the rodeo and the dance. Sonny was physically strong, athletic, and tended not to display his emotions, but he had a quick, humorous wit and enjoyed teasing and getting teased back. His parents came from large families, and his numerous aunts forced him to become a good dancer at the many Hanson family gatherings. He took pride in his sons' sports achievements. If the success of one's life is determined by knowing you will be missed by many, giving your children a better start in life than you had, and each year growing more deeply in love with the friend you married; mission accomplished, Sonny Crow. Sonny is survived by his wife Donna (Griffith); his three sons, Gregory (Kamla) Crow of Louisburg, KS, Mark (Wendy) Crow of Inver Grove Heights, MN, and Aaron Crow of Woodland Hills, CA; six grandchildren, Zachary (Alyce Sharp) Crow, Taylor (Brad Tarras) Crow, Jordan Crow, Colton Crow, Anne "Hania" Crow, and Natasia Crow. Sonny was also blessed with two great grandchildren, Jonah Tarras & Lyllia Crow. His surviving siblings are Dudley (Michelle) Crow, Donald Crow, John (Donna) Crow Jr., Joanne (Eilef) Erickson, Yvonne (Walt) Peterson, Noreda Mann, Robert Crow, and Randy (Linda) Crow. He was preceded in death by his parents, John & Dorothy, his sister Cleone, and infant brother Darrell. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home 207 S. 2nd St. West Baker, Montana Service: Monday, February 15, 2016 at 10:00 AM Visitation: Sunday, February 14, 2016 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM