Dr. David Crowe

Dr. David P. Crowe, 62, of Cape Girardeau passed away Friday, March 7, 2014, at his home.

He was born Oct. 19, 1951, in Cape Girardeau to John T. and Margaret Ann Ellis Crowe. He and Melissa L. McKee were married April 26, 1996.

David was a 1969 graduate of Central High School. He received a bachelor of arts in communication arts from Southwestern at Memphis (now Rhodes College) in 1973. He earned his DDS at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1978 and his MSD at Baylor College of Dentistry in 1980.

He returned to Cape Girardeau in 1980 to practice orthodontics. Over the years, David built enduring relationships with a loyal staff and thousands of wonderful patients and their families. He retired in April 2012.

Survivors include his wife, Melissa McKee Crowe; three sons, Taylor B. Crowe, Austin D. Crowe and Adam D. Baron; two brothers, John K. Crowe of Phoenix and Stephen T. Crowe of Mesa, Ariz.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

David was a member of Phi Beta Kappa chapter of Tennessee, American Dental Association and American Association of Orthodontists. Locally, David was a member of First Presbyterian Church, having served as deacon and elder; and member of the board of directors of Mercantile Bank.

He founded and was president of the Tailor Institute and was a charter member of Missouri Autism Commission. He was a member of the American Society of Media Photographers and was chief operating officer of Richard Halliburton Memorial Expedition Society. He enjoyed a keen interest in photography over his lifetime and was known for his stunning, large format prints of local and western landscapes, as well as two remarkable series taken in the island nations of Cuba and Iceland.

David's eldest son developed autism very early in the autism epidemic. David was determined that Taylor would lead a full and productive life and devoted endless hours to Taylor's remarkable rehabilitation. This commitment led to the establishment of the Tailor Institute, which helps high-functioning autistic individuals reach their full potential.

Family and friends will gather for a memorial service and celebration of David's life at 3:30 p.m. March 16 at Cape Bible Chapel. The devotional service will be led by the Rev. Paul Short of St. Andrew Lutheran Church.

A reception will be held following the service.

Arrangements have been handled by Ford and Sons Funeral Home.

Memorials may be given to the Tailor Institute, 1 University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701, or at thetailorinstitute.org.

Online condolences may be shared at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.