Obituary: Gail Crowder

December 22, 1943 – April 29, 2025 
It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Gail Crowder. Gail passed peacefully in her Eagle Vail home on April 29, 2025.
Gail was the youngest daughter of George Raymond Whittington and Mary Mount Whittington. She was born on December 22, 1943 in Amarillo, Texas. She finished high school in Amarillo and went on to attend the University of Texas, graduating in the late 1960s with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She married George Crowder in Amarillo and moved to Vail in 1972.
Gail loved to play golf every chance she got. She was the president of the Vail Women’s Golf Club and assisted with the Jerry (Gerald) Ford Invitational several times. She was a board member of the Colorado Women’s Golf Association, and her duties were to rate the courses. She ran the Daisy Palmer Invitational (which she won once) and the Vail Ladies´ Invitational (which she won twice). At the height of her golf career, she got down to an 8 handicap. In her younger days, she won the Texas state trampoline championship at the age of twelve.
Gail loved to cook, and was welcoming to all. For too many years to remember, Gail hosted her annual Christmas bridge party. The bridge playing eventually ceased but the festivities continued on for years and years; her famous eggnog bringing cheer to the Christmas season.
Gail loved to travel, and criss-crossed the expanse of the globe with her usual humor and vigor: from kayaking in Alaska, to safaris in Africa, the great castles of Europe, the pyramids of Egypt, and the stunning ruins of South & Central America and Mexico. Her sunny disposition landed her on the world’s beaches and she always returned with an amazing tan. She toured over fifty countries in all. Most trips were with her sisters Sue, Trisha and Dianne, and her husband, George. Her last adventure found her traversing the golden aspens of Canada by train with her son Paul and her sister Sue.
Painting was another one of her passions that took her around the States and Mexico to study. She became quite adept in the impressionist style. An avid bird-watcher, and nature lover in all respects, she truly enjoyed her travels and came home with wonderful photos and stories.
Gail is survived by her husband George Crowder, her sisters Sue, Trisha and Dianne, her four children Paul, Chris, Michael and Jean; as well as seven grandchildren George (Tres), Savana, William, Dharma, Dalton, Domonique and Paxton.
Please join us in celebrating Gail’s life on Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 1pm at the EagleVail Pavilion.