At the heart of every quintessential small town are a sort of people that look beyond themselves to give back to their community.  They are the people that step up to serve on the city councils and school boards.  They are the people that volunteer on the local fire department and run with the small town ambulance.  They help with the PTO and youth rec leagues.  Their business continuously donate and support various programs, fundraisers, and families or individuals in need.  These people choose to do more than simple work for a paycheck and go home at the end of the day, but instead say, “How can I help?”

These sort of folks are the ones that turn an ordinary little town into something a little more extraordinary.  Malad and its surrounding communities are full of good people that lend a helping hand or offer their services in a moment's notice.  The list of generous supporters of the small community is lengthy, serving as a base for every good thing that happens around the valley, including the humble Jared Crowther.

While it may appear that Jared lives an easy,  comfortable life as Hess Lumber’s current owner, the reality is that Jared has hardly had a day in his life that he hasn’t put in long hours working, selflessly serving to help someone else in need.

As a very young boy, Jared was forced to work to add whatever meager income he could to help his family.  Jared’s father passed away when he was only three years old, leaving his family in truly humbling conditions.  Never looking on the downside, Lila Crowther chose to teach her family to have a little faith and get to work.  Following his mother’s example, young Jared began sweeping floors and the like at Crowther’s Mill at just five years old. 

It may have been simple work he was asked to perform, but it was still a dangerous workplace for such a little boy.  While working at the mill, Jared suffered a broken leg.  The injury was serious enough that Jared required a lengthy hospital stay, lying in bed with his leg in traction for weeks.  But as soon as he could, Jared was back on two feet and back to work.  

His family laughs as they say, “There were no child labor laws back then,” but that might have been a blessing in disguise since Jared’s mother and his siblings depended on him to bring home whatever he could.  As he grew older, Jared worked at Rex Evan’s grocery store stocking shelves.  He got teased some for spending his after school hours working instead of playing on the local sports teams but that sort of recreation was a luxury he and his family couldn’t afford.

There was one small luxury he did allow himself, that of taking the long way home after work so that he could drive passed the home of one Ronda Hess.  Ronda recalls, “My dad said, ‘That boy would save a lot of gas if he would just drive straight home.’” What began as just a passing drive and a wave eventually turned into a first date in the fall of 1973, which ultimately led to their marriage shortly after returning from his mission in 1979.

At the time of their marriage, Jared was working at what was Thiokol.  After just a few short weeks, Ronda’s father offered Jared a position working at the lumber store, telling him that if he came and learned the ropes, he could maybe take over one day.

Jared jumped at the opportunity and quickly fell in love with his work.  To some, working at the lumber store might have been something he did out of obligation but when it came down to it, it was because “he loved the work and loved helping people,” as his family would say.  Ronda shared, “He would have a way to see a more efficient way at doing things and would change things for the better.”

Despite not having any college experience or business degree, his keen mind and awareness led him to be a natural businessman.  Over the years he helped develop a hardware store that would meet the needs for customers, businesses and operations for miles around, as well as support the community in a way they could never repay.  Of course, the path to get there was nothing but challenging, demanding sacrifices of both Jared and his family.

Recognizing that there would be opportunities to expand, Jared put everything he had back into the business.  To help make ends meet, he would build pallets in his own driveway and spent time working as a windshield repairman.  In order to better help his customers, Jared studied and learned everything he could about construction, plumbing, and so much more.  His children recall falling asleep at the lumber store on the late nights that he would stay to catch up on orders or paperwork.  For over 40 years he has made weekly trips to Salt Lake, traveling to suppliers and vendors to pick up whatever it is his customers need, so that they don’t have to wait or have any added fees for UPS delivery.  

This sort of work ethic and sacrifice might seem over the top, but that just is who Jared is- a man fiercely loyal to his customers and more concerned with helping someone else than he is about his own needs.  Having his own list to do each day, he could have easily hidden away in his office to get his tasks done, but instead he takes time to work through the challenges his customers have, often designing out plans himself.  

Son Doug Crowther shared, “He has built hundreds of homes from behind his desk.  He teaches people what they need to know and helps them feel confident so that they can do the job.  People might think he does it so they will buy supplies at his store, but the truth is he would do it all for them if they never bought a thing.  He just wants other people to succeed.”

All the while he built up the family business, supported his customers with impeccable service, and raised his family, he also worked to serve his community.  Over the decades, Jared has volunteered countless hours as he served on the City Council, Chamber of Commerce and his many church callings.  But through it all, he had one focus- loyally serving others.

From the outside, it could be easy to assume that Jared and his family live well with such a successful business.  But those that know him best know that while his business may be successful, his true joy comes from serving others, not the dollars made at the end of the day.  

In January 2024, Hess Lumber will celebrate its 89th year of business serving Malad.  Jared, notably, has been along for the ride and steering the company for more than half of those years.  While he has never been one to stand in the limelight, that sort of work and dedication deserves celebrating, not only for himself or for his business, but for the community as well.  And what better time than Jared’s own birthday, December 25.  Three cheers to the man that has selflessly given to and tirelessly served a community, simply so that he can look them in the face and know he gave them his best.  Thank you and Happy Birthday, Jared Crowther!