Marshall "Ples" Crews

Marshall "Ples" Crews: Legendary Leghorn and Petaluma Icon "Remembered by many for his tireless dedication to youth groups as a leader and a coach; and his outstanding athleticism that led him to becoming one of the Leghorn's all-time greats," Ples Crews will be greatly missed by all who knew him, especially by his family, for whom he was a true hero! He passed away quickly and peacefully on Wednesday, March 4, 2015, at the age of 95. Born October 1, 1919 in Louisiana to David and Minnie Eula Crews, Marshall Plesant Crews, best known as "Ples," grew up loving two things: family and sports! Being the youngest of 4 brothers, he ultimately took on the responsibility of raising his little sister Lillie, who adored him, meanwhile learning the truth about hard work and dedication. Never too far from a sports field, Ples found his true calling as a sensational athlete. "Ples was always quiet and soft spoken, and his toughness was usually channeled into football", which later in life transpired into an amazing passion for coaching and mentoring. Family members still chuckle over his 5 year high school football career, when his family moved 1 county away, across the Mississippi River, so he could play just one more year, he was that good! An All League halfback as a junior and later awarded All Conference at the LA State Championship, Ples' football scholarship to play for Louisiana State Normal, was no surprise. Unfortunately, it was put on hold in 1941 when he enlisted in the US Navy as a radioman aboard a destroyer. Upon his discharge in 1945 at Mare Island, he met his first wife, Peggy, and had 2 children, Patricia and Jim, whom he raised in Petaluma. In 1959, Ples married his life partner, Marjorie, and adopted her daughter, Roberta. Ples was an amazing husband and cared for Margie during 8 years of illness until her death in 1999, just shy of their 40th wedding anniversary. In 2000, he married his current wife, Zoe, with whom he would be celebrating his 15th wedding anniversary with in April. Atop his greatest accomplishments was joining the semi-pro football team, the Petaluma Leghorn's from1947 to 1953. Ples helped lead the team to 8 straight wins the first year and the 1950-51 State Championship, which earned him his jacket and favorite belt buckle. He wore it daily for at least 61 years! In 1953, Ples finally retired at age 34 after 3 previous attempts to retire. In 1965, at age 46 he returned for an alumni game and even then he said "he could still do it for one or two more plays!" Through out his life, Ples held many positions. Most well known for his Lakeville Dairy milk distribution route; he was also the first owner of the Petaluma Bicycle Factory; a vault keeper at the Historic Petaluma Bank of America; a driver for Laid Law buses and later managed apartment complexes into his late 80's. Despite all of his full time jobs, Ples spent countless hours coaching football, basketball, and baseball teams in Petaluma, mostly at St. Vincent's and as the Executive Director of the Petaluma Boy's Club. He was later inducted into the St. Vincent's Hall of fame & has been memorialized in the book, Hail the Hometown Heroes! as #9 on the cover, his legacy will live on forever in the hearts of his family! Author David Traversi joked that although retired at age 83, Ples was still in playing shape! Proceeded in death by his parents, 4 brothers, and 2nd wife Margie; Ples is survived by: his sister, Lillie Spence, 93; wife Zoe Crews; daughter Roberta Lee (Connie); daughter Patricia Frazier (Tom); son Jim Crews (Brigitta); step children: Randy, April & Elizabeth (spouses & children); Grandchildren: Rick Frazier (Maria); Peggy Frazier; Erin Weaver (Justin); Jim Crews Jr. (Annabel); Nick Crews (Emilie); Brent, Georgia & Ross Lee (children & grandchildren) ; Great-grandchildren: Katarina Frazier; Taylor Goss; Emily & Jameson Crews; Gracie & Jackson Weaver; Bella Crews; numerous nieces, nephews, colleagues, teammates, and friends. A visitation will be held on Thursday, March 12th from 5-8pm at Parent-Sorensen Mortuary, Petaluma, with funeral services on Friday, March 13th at 12pm at Petaluma Valley Baptist Church, 580 Sonoma Mountain Parkway, Petaluma. Reception following services and continued after interment at Cypress Hill Memorial Park, Petaluma. The family would appreciate any donations in Ples' name be made to the Boys & Girls Club of America (donor's city of choice) or the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org), P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC, 20090-6011, or local: Northern CA/Northern NV Office, 2290 North 1st St., San Jose, CA, 95131 with memo "In Memory of Ples Crews" Sincere thanks to the excellent staff at Sonoma Healthcare for taking such great care of Ples for the past 2 years!