Stanley D. Crow

Stanley D. Crow passed away peacefully at home at age 83 on Thursday, February 19, 2026, following a brief illness. He was surrounded by the family he loved so dearly.

Stanley was born in Paxton, Nebraska where he graduated as valedictorian from high school. He graduated Suma Cum Laude from Northwest Nazarene College in 1964 and Harvard Law School in 1967. He and his wife, the former Donna Fletcher of Nampa, settled in Boise, Idaho, where he built a life defined by service, integrity, and a relentless curiosity. When Stanley saw a problem he conceived a plan to solve it and set about putting it into practice.

Stanley’s life was anchored by a profound traditional Christian faith. A visionary in his spiritual life as well as his professional one, he founded Epworth Chapel on the Green (now Epworth Free Methodist Church). What began as a small gathering in his family garage blossomed into an established church community—a testament to his dedication and leadership.

Professionally, Stanley was a respected member of the Idaho legal community for many years, successfully representing a wide range of clients. In 1978 he was admitted to practice and argued a case before the United States Supreme Court. He later transitioned to a business developing strategies for managing taxes on sales of assets.

A lifetime champion of civic virtue, Stanley led important efforts including Help Idaho Thrive to limit institutionalized gambling and initiatives to minimize the use and impact of harmful substances. He was also one of the founding appointees to the Idaho Human Rights Commission.

Beyond his work and community achievements, Stanley was known for his "puns and persistence." He possessed a wonderful sense of humor and a deep-seated love for debate and interest in current events. He never met a complicated issue he didn’t want to solve or a wordplay opportunity he could resist.

Stanley was preceded in death by his parents, Harold Preston Crow and Jenny Downing Crow and his brother Donald. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Donna Fletcher Crow; his sister Virginia Anderson Bauder; his brother Marvin; his four children, Stanley, Jr., Preston, John, and Elizabeth Kenyon; and a legacy of 15 grandchildren who will miss his wisdom and his wit.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 26th at 1pm at Epworth Free Methodist Church, 6110 W Northview St, Boise, ID 83704. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Epworth Free Methodist Church would be appreciated.