Jacky (Jack) Dean Crokerage 89, passed from this life December 11, 2020, in Early, TX due to complications from Covid-19.

Jack was born on November 1, 1931, in Comanche, TX, where he grew up and graduated from Comanche High School.

Jack joined the Navy in 1952 as an Aviation specialist. He was first stationed in California then went to Guam for 18 months. From there he spent a short time in Japan, where he ran into his brother, Kenneth, who was stationed there with the Air Force. He loved telling that story of running into his brother overseas. From Japan, he returned to Guam to finish his time there. He then returned to Comanche, TX, just long enough to marry the love of his life, Vessie Pearl Knight, on January 25, 1955. The newlyweds were off to KeyWest, FL where Jack was stationed for the next 9 months. He spent a total of 8 yrs in the service.

After serving in the Navy he and his wife moved to Pecos, TX where he ran a cotton gin. From Pecos, they moved to Kermit, TX. He went to work for Burns Electric for a few years before starting his own electric company, Croker Electric.

Jack was also a member of the Kermit Volunteer Fire Department for 19 yrs. He retired from the Department in 1987. While in the Fire Department he held titles as Fire Marshall & Chaplain.

Jack was certified in several different fields including fireman, arson investigator, master electrician, and Emergency Medical Assistant (EMA).

He also worked at Kermit Hospital as head maintenance/electrician.

Jack loved camping, riding motorcycles, riding ATV’s in the Kermit Sandhills with his children. He was a master at playing dominoes (42) and ping pong. He was an avid gun and knife collector and loved to hunt. Jack was constantly telling jokes and playing tricks on various family members; always the life of the party. Jack was notorious for keeping a well-stocked pantry. One of his favorite things to do was always make sure the pantry was stocked perfectly and precisely. He played multiple instruments including acoustic guitar, electric bass guitar, stand-up bass, mandolin, ukulele, banjo, and his favorite, the harmonica. He had a case full of harps that he absolutely loved and was always ready to show them to any and everyone. One of his favorite thing to do was get the family together at reunions to sing and play gospel hymns.

Jack was a member of the United Pentecostal Church for most of his life. He could quote almost every scripture in the book and loved to read his bible; he did so up to the time of his passing. Like everyone, Jack was not perfect. Before his death, he made sure to tell his children, his wife, and the Lord that he was sorry for his sins and asked for forgiveness.

Jack was proceeded in death by his parents, Charlie and Neva Croker, his brothers Kenneth and Billy, and one grandson, Quinton Mitchell.

He is survived by his wife, Vessie Pearl Croker, of Early, TX, children, LaFonda White, of Midland, TX, Nevona & husband, Rick Mitchell, of Kermit, TX, Parthenia & husband, John Micheletti, of Gardendale TX, Dean & wife, Debbie Croker, of Zephyr, TX, Misty Croker & Cassie Croker both of, Odessa, TX, and Trina Croker of Early, TX, as well as his sister, Shirley Cottrell, of Fort Stockton, TX. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family members whom he loved dearly.

The family appreciates all the love, thoughts, prayers, and other forms of concern during this time of grieving the loss of their precious loved one.

Jack had requested to be cremated. Due to Covid-19, the family has made the decision to hold a “Celebration of Life” at a future date.