DUANE
Get the App
Duane's take
Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about Marion Wesley Crowell, the man folks called Baldy. Born in DeSoto, Marion Wesley Crowell picked up a nickname somewhere along the way that would follow him the rest of his life. And you'll soon understand why that name carried a certain weight.
In World War I, he served with distinction in Company C, the 111th Engineers, American Expeditionary Forces. That's the kind of service that says something about a man before he's even gotten started. He moved to Louise in 1933, and by 1936 he had married Jessie Thomas.
And then, well, Louise found out what it had. Baldy Crowell became commander of the Craig-Harriss Post of the American Legion. Not once.
Twice. He was the first president of the Louise Chamber of Commerce. A leader in religious affairs, civic affairs, political affairs.
If something needed doing in that community, people knew who to call. Now, Senator Culp Krueger put that feeling into verse, and the marker carries the poem in full. It goes like this.
Leave it to Baldy, oft heard refrain. Accomplished by Baldy, his claim to fame. Country boy with a gentle air, for others always time to spare.
Served his community, fellow man, worked in harmony with God's plan. Leave it to Baldy rings in our ears, our charge, our challenge through coming years. That last line is the one that stays with you.
It's not just a tribute. It's a handoff. The marker is dated 1965, and that charge, that challenge, it's still out there on the road waiting for someone to pick it up.
What the marker says
Born in DeSoto. In World War I, served with distinction in Co. C, 111th Rngineers, A. E. F. Moved to Louise, 1933. Married Jessie Thomas, 1936. Was twice commander, Craig-Harriss Post, American Legion. First president Louise Chamber of Commerce. A leader in religious, civic and political affairs. "Leave it to Baldy," (a tribute by Senator culp Krueger): Leave it to Baldy, oft heard refrain. Accomplished by Baldy--his claim to fame. Country boy with a gentle air; for others always time to spare. Served his community, fellow man; worked in harmony with God's plan. "Leave it to Baldy!" rings in our ears, our charge, our challenge through coming years. (1965)