Byron A. Crocker
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 7B - March 23, 2012
Byron A. Crocker, 76,
Grand Junction, died March 21,
2012, at Aspen Ridge Care Center.
Services will be at 2 p.m.
Wednesday at St. Matthews
Episcopal Church.
Survivors include his wife,
Shirley Ann; one son, Jon B. of
Grand Junction; two daughters,
Nancy Hunter of Grand Junction
and Gail Mills of Clackamas,
Ore.; one brother, Terry of
Phoenix; seven grandchildren;
and three great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions to
Hospice & Palliative Care of
Western Colorado, 3090B North
12th St., Grand Junction 81506
or Alzheimer’s Association,
Colorado Chapter, 455 Sherman
St. Suite 500, Denver 80203.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 3D - March 25, 2012
Byron A. Crocker, 76, died
March 21, 2012, at Aspen Ridge
Alzheimer's Special Care Center
in Grand Junction, Colorado after
battling Alzheimer's Disease for
several years. His loving family
was with him at the time of his
death.
He was born July 10, 1935, to
Charles and Jenis Crocker in
Pueblo, CO. Byron graduated from Pueblo Centennial High School
in 1953, and married his best friend and soul mate, Shirley Ann
Rapp, on August 13, 1954. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Ann
and their three children, Nancy Hunter of Grand Junction, CO; Jon
Crocker (Jeanie) of Grand Junction, CO, and Gail Mills (Tim) of
Clackamas, OR; seven grandchildren, Diana Hunter, Christie Bloom
(Grant), Ellie Crocker, Molly Crocker, Justin Mills (Elizabeth),
Benjamin Mills and Meredith Mills. Byron was also blessed with
three great-granddaughters, Samantha and Madison Mills and Lillian
Bloom. Byron is also survived by his brother, Terry Crocker of
Phoenix, AZ, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was
preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Shirley Wilkerson, and
his nephews, Eric Wilkerson and Randy Wilkerson.
Byron worked for Skaggs/Osco Drug for 33 years, during which
time he and Shirley Ann lived in Pueblo, CO, Wheatridge, CO,
Lakewood, CO, Fort Collins, CO, Grand Junction, CO and Missoula,
MT. He mentored countless employees and made lifelong
friends during his career. He retired and moved back to Grand Junction
in 1992, to be near his children and grandchildren.
Byron's faith in God shone in his countenance, as well as in his life.
He was a member and worshipped with his family at St. Matthew's
Episcopal Church, Grand Junction where he served actively, sharing
his faith and love for Jesus Christ.
Favorite pastimes for Byron included fly-fishing, golf, traveling,
photography and spending time with family and friends. After retirement,
he made many memorable trips with his family and friends
to his beloved fishing cabin on Rock Creek in Montana. His travels
also took him to New Zealand, Chile, England, Mexico and
throughout most of the United States. He often attended his
grandchildren's athletic, school and music events, being their greatest
supporter.
Byron was known by everyone who knew him as the finest family
man, businessman, friend and Christian. Every relationship in his
life was built on his unconditional love, faith, humor, patience, generosity
and integrity. He was a big man with a big heart, and he
spent his life quietly and faithfully doing the right thing every day.
The world is a better place because Byron Crocker was in it. He will
be greatly missed.
Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at St.
Matthew's Episcopal Church, 3888 27 1/2 Road, Grand Junction at
2:00 p.m. A reception will follow at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made in Byron Crocker's name to
Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado, 3090B N. 12th
Street, Grand Junction, Colorado 81506 or to the Alzheimer's Assoc
i a t i o n , P O B o x 9 6 0 1 1 , W a s h i n g t o n , D C 2 0 0 9 0 - 6 0 1 1 ,
800-272-3900.
We would like to express our unending gratitude to the amazing
staff and volunteers of Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado
and to the entire staff at Aspen Ridge Alzheimer's Special Care
Center for caring for Byron and our entire family with dignity, professionalism
and compassion during his final months.
