Edward “Ned” Crowley

Edward Lawrence Crowley, 84 of Bedford, VA more commonly known as, Ned Crowley, was born in Kitchner, Ontario Canada on February 12, 1926. He went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 4, 2010. His father Lawrence Joseph was a doctor in the days when payment was often a chicken or a dozen eggs. Together with his mother Thelma Josephine Hunter Crowley his family moved to the US, to Evanston, Illinois when Ned was 3 years old. He was eventually joined by his two brothers, Neal and Michael all now deceased. Ned was well educated and received his degrees from NWU and a Masters from the University of Chicago. He was always an exceptional student and excelled in the study of Language, eventually mastering seven fluently and reading and writing fourteen others. So it was inevitable that when WWII came along he enlisted in the Army and was inducted into the secret world of Military Intelligence.

It wasn\"™t until after the war that he and his childhood sweetheart, Jane were married and began their journey raising an ever-growing family of nine children. He was preceded in death by his eldest son Edward Jr., and his youngest son Brian as well as his eldest grandson, Jake Moeller. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends for his endless knowledge, his patience and his unconditional love. He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Jane A. Crowley of Bedford, VA; son, Patrick and wife Joan, of Charlottesville, VA; daughter Liane Robertson and husband, Dean of Bedford, VA; daughter Cynthia Moeller and husband, David of Roanoke, VA; son Jack of Bedford, VA; daughter Sharon Barsotti of Eureka, CA; daughter Sally Shoales and husband, Matt of Bedford, VA; daughter Amy Carter and husband, Keith of Bedford, VA; 23 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren all of whom totally loved and cherished him.

In 1953 he began his career traveling the world with the newly formed Central Intelligence Agency. During his 40-year career with them he spent 9 years in Germany as the Director of a Russian Studies Institute. He administered and managed research, translation, and publications and distributed programs in the scientific field for the total spectrum of Soviet, East-European and world Communist Affairs. He wrote and edited various periodicals and four books during his tenure. He also directed a University sponsored educational program with students from over 300 US & European universities, educating them in the study of the Soviet way of life. It proved to be a challenging as well as precarious life facing Bay of Pigs, the Kennedy assassination, the Cuban Missile Crisis. In 1971 he returned to the United States and lived in Potomac, MD. At 50 years of age, he took early retirement and literally \"Bought The Farm\", here in Thaxton, VA. After three years of struggling with run-a-way cattle and dealing with skunked dogs, bucking horses and three accidents on icy winding roads they moved to Bedford, VA. For 25 years they lived on Longwood Ave. While Jane ran the Blue Nursery School, Ned tried his hand at being a Realtor. During this time he was sub-contracted by the CIA to continue doing translation for them. The Fall of the Soviet Union terminated this rewarding career.

He spent the rest of his life imparting wisdom, answering every question his ever growing family asked him, and fascinating them with details of his lives work and his brilliance. He delighted in celebrating the holidays with his loved ones, especially the big Christmas bash, that being his favorite. He traveled extensively with his family, a highlight being the Scandinavian Cruise he took with his wife Jane. This fulfilled a lifelong dream of returning to Russia as a visitor instead of a Central Intelligence Agent.

During his years of retirement he suffered medical problems, he survived cancer and five heart procedures. This encouraged him to join the organization of Mended Hearts, giving him the chance to offer encouragement to others during their ordeals. He was active in the Democratic Party and made sure that he voted in the recent election. His lifelong hobby of Model trains impelled him to be a member of the Bedford Train Club where he lent his expertise in the development of Christmas exhibits. His model train collection would be the envy of model train enthusiast. Keeping busy made him a happy man and he really hated leaving all of us behind. We look forward to being reunited with him in our futures.

A Mass of the resurrection will be conducted at 2:00 PM, on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church in Bedford, VA with Father Salvador Añonuevo and Father Stephan McNally officiating. The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 4:00 PM on Sunday, November 7, 2010 at Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford. To send condolences online please visit www.obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford, (540)-586-3443.

Â