Melvin Ray Crowder, Jr., 79, of Salina, passed away Sunday, November 6th, 2022.

Melvin “Sonny” was born in Salina, Kansas on August 19, 1943, a son of Grace Irene (Roseberry) Igo and Melvin Ray Crowder, Sr. Early in his childhood the family moved to a home near Anderson, Missouri, then later in Iowa. His family lived there for several years before moving back to Salina with the dissolution of the marriage between his parents.

At the age of 12, he started working for other people to make extra spending money for himself and his family. In 1966, he was employed by Long McArthur Ford and after 43 years he retired as an auto technician. Cars were always a big part of his life. While a young man, he raced his Model A and dragster winning some races. He enjoyed building T-bucket roadsters completely from the ground up.

He had a great love for his family and always wanted a better life for his family and children than when he was growing up. He married Sharon Carter on April 16, 1962. Sharon and Sonny had a long life together until her passing in 2019. Survivors include two daughters, Teresa Bates (Matthew), of Denver, Colorado, Sarah Lee (Marcus), of Salina; son, Kenneth Crowder (April Teakell), of Salina, Kansas; grandchildren, Rachel, Stephanie, Marcus “Scott” Jr., Gracelynn, Eleanor, Chris, Jessica, Randy; 6 great grandchildren; and his sister, Jennifer Kerr (Kevin), of Lawrence, Kansas.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife of 57 years, Sharon Kay Crowder; 2 brothers, Orville “Bouncer” Crowder and Clinton Crowder.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, November 14, 2022 at Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home.

Burial will be held at a later date in Timber Creek Cemetery, Wakefield, Kansas.

Donations may be made to help with funeral expenses to Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home, 500 S. Ohio St., Salina, Kansas 67401.