Evans Blane Crocker, 86, of Pinehurst passed from this life Saturday, July 28, 2012, at his home in Pinehurst.
Evans was born December 19, 1925 in Bruce Mississippi to Ira and Martha Blount Crocker.
Funeral services will be at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange at 10am Tuesday, July 31, 2012. Officiating will be Reverend Ray McDowell of Orange First Church of the Nazarene. Visitation will be from 6-8pm Monday at the funeral home.
Preceded in death, and now reunited with his son, Evans Blane EB Crocker, Jr., who was KIA in Vietnam in 1968 serving his country; his parents, Ira and Martha Crocker and his three brothers; Carter Crocker, Clyde Crocker and Carl Joe Crocker. Those left to cherish his legacy and fond memories are his wife, Katherine; son, Eugene Crocker and wife Jeanette; grandchildren, Angela Crocker of Plano, James Crocker and wife Patty of Orange, and Jeremy Crocker of Orange; brother in law and sister in law, Ray and Lorene Camp; and many nieces and nephews.
Those serving as pallbearers will be James Crocker, Jeremy Crocker, Richard Harris, John Camp, Bill Bradley, and Ron Emmert. Serving as honorary pallbearer will be Ray Camp.
At the age of 17, Evans joined the Navy with his Dad and Mothers consent. Evans served his country in WWII in the Navy traveling the world in many sea conflicts aboard DD 797 Cushing Destroyer. After his discharge from the Navy, Evans moved to Orange working with his Dad and brothers hauling lumber to build the roads for DuPont and other chemical facilities being built along what is now known as chemical row in Orange. Later, Evans became a member of Pipefitters Local #195 working as a welder until his retirement in 1986. Evans always strived to be the best at what he did, and many that worked with him knew that if it could be welded, Evans was the man for the job. Evans also enjoyed fishing and hunting and trying to slow down Katherine while doing yard work. It always seemed that the "Big One" got away during fishing trips and those monster bucks were just out of range. But Evans was always able to get his share. Today our beloved Husband, Dad, and Granddaddy is enjoying the greatest opportunity of all, being in the presence of his God.
Evans leaves behind his wife of over 66 years Katherine who was always by his side, and demonstrated what the meaning of love and dedication to a spouse was all about. The Crocker Family would like to thank all of those who prayed for him during his illness. Those prayers were a source of comfort for us all. We would also like to thank the care given by Harbor Hospice and the visits and support of our Nazarene church family.
Memorial donations may be made to Veterans Heritage Memorial at the Orange First Church of the Nazarene at: 3810 Martin Luther King Junior Drive, Orange TX. 77632.