Stephen M. Crow, Ph.D.

Stephen Martin Crow, 81, passed away on September 5, 2023. Born in Alexandria, LA on March 29, 1942, Crow was the younger son of A.L. 'Blackie' Crow and Janette Martin Crow who preceded him in death along with brother Robert, nephew Robert, Jr., niece Tracey Watson and infant daughter Barbara. Survivors include wife Suzanne, daughters Stephane Lynn (Frisco, TX), Jennifer Lynn (Covington, LA), grandson Matthew and wife Amanda (Northlake, TX), great nephews Robert, Ill and Parker Crow, Nicholas and Michael Watson, and a number of great great nieces and nephews.

Crow's adventurous, tumultuous childhood included fond memories of Bunkie, LA, Lone Oak/Paducah, KY and rebellious, runaway train rides to northern California. Finally settling in Baton Rouge, he finished high school at Glen Oaks and then crammed a four year program into seven years to graduate from LSU.

Crow began his professional career as an HR Manager in south LA working for LSU Medical Center in New Orleans, Southdown Sugars in Houma and then headed west to Texas with Eckerd Drug Company. Opportunity knocked and he moved to Dallas to work as HR Executive at Gifford-Hill manufacturing company and later, in the same role, at Scottish Rite Hospital of Texas where he became a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason. During his Dallas career, Crow began work on advanced degrees at now University of North Texas earning both his Master's and Ph.D. in Labor and Industrial Relations. Leaving the corporate world for academia, he returned to Louisiana to join the faculty in the College of Business at the University of New Orleans in 1989. What followed until his retirement were the most rewarding years of his professional career. He brought 'real world experience' into the classroom; students loved his teaching style which both challenged and encouraged them to succeed. He was an active faculty member, serving on university committees, collaborating with colleagues on numerous research projects and publications and developing new programs for the University. He took a leadership role in securing accreditation for and introducing the Executive MBA and Executive Healthcare Management programs at the University. Through the years, Crow was recognized and honored by his peers, colleagues and students receiving the Seraphia D. Leyda University Teaching Fellow award, the Edward Schleider Endowed Chair in Healthcare Initiatives and, as a 'popular UNO professor,' he was honored many times with a "Favorite Teacher" award.

He was a member of various professional, honorary and historical organizations including Sons of the American Revolution and Sons of the Confederate Veterans. 

Crow combined a life long passion for adventure and motorcycles with business opportunities around the country and the world. He traveled the southeastern US for several years as a labor arbitrator for the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) and often combined scheduling a hearing with an opportunity for a good ride. From management consulting in Indonesia, bike tours through the Alps and South Africa, bungee jumping in New Zealand, rides throughout the continental US and Canada, he never missed an opportunity to hit the road.

Steve Crow was witty and charming, smart and inquisitive, adventurous and unafraid. He loved nature, birds and animals, and the great outdoors. By his own account, his life's journey was 'the best of times and the worst of times.' Alas, the 'worst' began in 2015 when frontotemporal dementia (FTD) began to 'caw,' eventually 'scavenging' all his remaining plans, hopes and dreams, leaving the 'murder' now to cry out 'bye, bye Blackbird!'

Please remember Steve with a donation to St. Joseph's Hospice, 409 W. 21st. Ave., Covington, 70433 and prayers for those who suffer from dementia and their families. Bagnell and Son Funeral Home provided all services.