Funeral Procession heads down Crenshaw to Inglewood Park Cemetery & Mausoleum photo by Brian W. Carter
Guy Crowder was not only known for his exceptional photography but for his upstanding character.
By Brian W. Carter, Sentinel Staff Writer
Guy R. Crowder, well-known photographer, who passed away October 30, was well remembered November 10 at West Los Angeles Church of God in Christ. The legendary photojournalist will forever be remembered for his lasting contributions to Los Angeles Black history.
Some of the highlights of his career include photos of celebrities such as Sammy Davis Jr., Ella Fitzgerald, Bill Cosby, Michael Jackson, Nancy Wilson, Quincy Jones, Magic Johnson, Walter Payton, Carl Lewis, Alex Haley, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, Mayor Tom Bradley and many, many more.
Yvonne Burke summed Crowder up best when she said, “He loved his family, he loved his friends, he loved his community [and] everyone loved him, his family, his friends and his community.”
The funeral was well attended by family, friends, colleagues and officials including Congresswomen Maxine Waters and Janice Hahn, councilmembers Herb Wesson (and his wife Fabian) and Bernard Parks, and Yvonne Burke. Other notable guests included Mother’s in Action president, Brenda Marsh-Mitchell, who attended on behalf of the Sentinel, columnists Larry Aubry and Brad Pye, Jr., 100 Black Men of America and Forescee Hogan-Rowles just to name a few. Bishop Charles E. Blake presided over the funeral and gave the eulogy.
Sentinel executive publisher/Bakewell CEO, Danny Bakewell Sr. had this statement to share about Crowder:
“Guy Crowder will be remembered as being one of the most talented and phenomenal Black photojournalists of our time. Not only will he be missed for his work, but for being an extraordinary person and the legacy he leaves with this city.”
Many shared and stated their feelings about Crowder and his lasting contributions to the community, the city and history in general.
“I’m delighted to be here with all of you today. We are fortunate by the gift, legacy [of Guy Crowder], not only in the photographic world [but] in this state, in this county and in this country. Someone mentioned all of the young people that he tutored, all of the young people helped to [become] photographers… he’s honored and loved by so many of us in this county.” —Congresswoman Maxine Waters
“I just think about all the history that had gone undocumented, Black history… a number of things that, we as a community, have not taken the opportunity to chronicle. Guy’s photographs will always serve that purpose.” —Councilmember Bernard Parks
“Guy was such a terrific photographer. He captured the great moments of so many people in our time. He captured the history of people in Los Angeles. He was smart, he was funny… Guy was a member of our family, I love him dearly…I have a feeling he’s up in heaven right now getting Kenny with a lot of the angels in a great photograph.” —Congresswoman Janice Hahn
“Guy was not only a great photographer, he was an active community leader. He was respected throughout the county of Los Angeles and all who worked with him admired his dedication to helping people and particularly helping young people of our community. He will indeed be missed by those of us who worked with him, and called him friend.” —Yvonne Burke
“Guy Crowder was a person, when I was a very young man, in my 20’s, approached me and told me, ‘You are going to be a leader in this town one day.’ He would follow me, or I would follow him and he would take pictures during my young career in the NAACP. And even after I left the NAACP, wherever he saw me, he always kept a portfolio of pictures for me and was just send them to me. He had a good heart, always had a good thing to say, and somebody I’ll remember all my life.”—Dr. Anthony Asadullah Samad
“He was such a mentor to me without ever saying, ‘I’m going to mentor you.’ He was very well versed politically, he understood politic very well. He would advise me… so he was directing and mentoring me for well over 20 years. I think the highlight for me; he photographed our wedding when my husband I got married in 1986. It was really an honor and humbling to be here to celebrate his life here today.” — Forescee Hogan-Rowles
“One of the greatest honors of my life was to have him [become] a part of our congregation. I had admired him for so many, many years. He was a great professional and a legend around Los Angeles. We lost a great, great, great man.” —Bishop Charles E. Blake, West Los Angeles Church of God in Christ.
Other remarks, honors and accolades were acknowledged from Congresswoman Karen Bass, Senator Rod Wright, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, County Supervisor Don Knabe and many other officials.
Guy Rochester Crowder passed on to his reward in Heaven to spend eternity with his Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Left to cherish many precious memories are his beloved covenant partner, Patricia Ann Crowder; cherished son, Reginald Eugene Crowder (Vanessa Ruiz); loving and dedicated mother, Ruby Jones; grandchildren, Reanna, Reggina, Renise, and Ryan, cousins, and a host of other relatives, friends, and business, political, and community associates.
