Mickey Crowell turns stroke into story of perseverance

By Cory Smith | news@campcountynow.com

Feb. 13 — Friday the 13th mind you — 1997 started out just like any day for Mickey Crowell, but by the end of that day, and into the next few…he’d be fighting for his life. Crowell, a loving husband, father and grandfather, had a massive stroke on that day in February 1997 and since then, his life has been a story of perseverance and willpower.
Crowell and his family, moved to Pittsburg in 1975 to work for his wife, Jan’s parents: Earl and Earlene Bigbee, who owned Mike Benet Formals. Mickey went to work in the cutting department to learn the ropes and would eventually run daily operations. 
In 1981, the Mike Benet Formals Factory burned and Mickey, along with his in-laws who were in their 60’s, came up with a “unique” solution: they rented nine downtown buildings. Six of the buildings were on Main Street and the cutting department location proved to be the most difficult because of the long cutting tables had to be used. With Mickey’s hard work and determination, he had production running in a few weeks; he went through three pairs of work boots in the nine months the factory was downtown.
“The joke was that Mike Benet was the only factory in the country that had a red light between the cutting department and sewing department,” said Jan Crowell.
A new factory was built for Mike Benet in January 1982 and Mickey was instrumental in completing the project. In 1985, he was elevated to president of the company and served in that role until the company sold out in the 90s.

See complete story in March 9 edition of The Gazette