David "Dave" Charles Crocker, Sr.

David “Dave” Charles Crocker Sr., 80, of Clinton, MD
Vietnam Veteran – US ARMY
November 24, 1942 – May 21, 2023

David “Dave” Charles Crocker Sr., 80, of Clinton, MD went to his heavenly home after a valiant 4-year battle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.  His devotion to his family and his firm belief in Jesus Christ supported him in his struggle and ultimately gave him peace.

Dave was born to the late Albert and Lucille Crocker in Port Huron, Michigan.  As a child, he had a natural ability to fix whatever was broken around the house and would often be found disassembling and reassembling a radio or a clock.  He continued this as a hobby for the rest of his life. His earliest job was delivering newspapers as a preteen.  Dave attended Port Huron High School and over the years, enjoyed attending many of the 62-64 class reunions. In 1966, he was drafted into the United States Army, Alpha Company, 1^st Battalion, 35^th Infantry Regiment, 4^th Infantry Division and spent one year in Vietnam of his two years served. He often said, “I left Vietnam, but Vietnam never left me.”  After returning home from Vietnam, Dave married the love of his life, Ruth Ellen (MacPherson) Crocker on October 19, 1968.  He was employed by Mueller Brass and Main TV, before moving to Clinton, MD in 1972 to begin his lifetime career of Certified Auto Technician working for his brother, Vern, at Crocker’s Auto.  Dave retired in November 2007.

Throughout his life, Dave was often seen taking photos of every occasion and event important to him including several grandkids’ weddings, and many school concerts/ballgames/sporting events.  He loved spending time with family, listening to old traditional country music, southern gospel or gospel bluegrass music.  He was a hardworking man; many weekends were spent installing, repairing, or helping loved ones with their projects. He especially loved electrical projects.  Each week he looked forward to meeting up with his VA (Veterans Affairs) Friday Group.  As his mobility slowed down due to his illness, he enjoyed watching YouTube fix-it videos, TrueCrime and Police on Patrol TV shows, listening to hymn-sings online and several online church services each week.  With half of his grandkids living in Canada, he always looked forward to receiving videos of their figure skating, hockey games and piano/violin festival performances.

Dave is preceded in death by his parents, Albert Sr. and Lucille Crocker; brothers, Albert Crocker Jr., Donald Crocker, and Harry Crocker; nephew, Daniel J. “Chip” Crocker; and his mother and father-in-law, William and Edna MacPherson.

He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Ruth Ellen Crocker; two daughters: Cindy (John) Byrer of Fort McMurray, AB, Canada, Kimberli Bartholomew of Saint Leonard, MD, his son David Charles (Lisa) Crocker II of Baltimore, MD; 9 grandchildren: Kaitlynn (Collin) Kirschner, Holly (Doug) Strobel, Carleigh Bartholomew, David Charles Crocker III, Rosalie Byrer, Kelsie (Austin) McCormick, Megan Crocker, Benjamin Byrer, and William Crocker; 5 great grandchildren: Cassia, Clayton, Abigail, Ellinor, Oakleigh, and one more on the way; brothers: Vern (Barbara) and Dan (Christine); sisters-in-law: Sharon Crocker and Linda Kano; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and his beloved dog Chewy.

Dave is also survived by a son, James (Denise) Demaray, and a daughter, Tammy Jackson, from relationships prior to his marriage to Ruth.

A celebration of Dave’s life will be on Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 11:00am at The Word of God Baptist Church in King George, VA, officiated by his nephew, Donald Crocker. For those that are unable to attend, the service will also be live-streamed at https://wordofgodbc.com/

A Full Military Honors Interment at Arlington National Cemetery will follow at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to 35^th Infantry Regiment (Cacti) Association Scholarship Fund at http://www.cacti35th.org/35th_inf_ass/member_paypal.php?