Chester Olean Crocker

Chester “Chet” Olean Crocker, Sr., age 92 years, died at the Norman Veterans Center on November 18, 2013. He was born November 28, 1920, in Coffee County, Alabama to Joe and Maybelle Crocker. Chester was very proud of his 20 years of service in the Air Force from 1941 to 1961. He served in China, Burma and India (CBI Theater) during WWII, as well as in the Korean War. He retired with the rank of T/SGT. Chester loved to fly and was on flying status throughout his military career. He also received his private pilot’s license and flew the “little air knockers” every chance he got. Chester was an avid fisherman and had a special fishing buddy, Howard Robertson. He is survived by his wife, Jocile of 60 years of the home; sons: Ed and wife Ann of Norman, Chester, Jr. “Sonny” and wife Linda of Edmond; one daughter, Denise Crocker Mathes of Portland, OR; three grandchildren, Ashleigh and her husband Chris Kayser of Portland, OR; Joe Crocker and his wife Lindsay of Ft. Worth, TX and Julia Crocker of Edmond; five great-grandchildren, Henry, Atticus, Forrest and Stella Kayser of Portland, OR and Anna Crocker of Ft. Worth TX. He was a loyal member of St. Monica Catholic Church, Edmond. He always looked forward to Deacon Jerry Rokasky’s weekly visits while he was a resident of the Norman Veterans Center. Chet belonged to the Knights of Columbus, and was a fourth degree Knight. He is preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, Vera, Eva Pearl and Mozelle and three brothers, Orell, Bill (“Bauchy”) and Berlin (“Mutt”). He is survived by one sister, Raynelle Kline of Pearland TX and numerous nieces and nephews. He will also be missed by four special nephews: Lamar of Springtown, TX, Hayes and Buddy Ammons of Elba, AL and William Wendell (“Wendy”) Crocker of Scottsdale, AZ. The wake, officiated by Deacon Jerry Rakosky, will be held at Smith and Kernke 7 P.M on Wednesday, November 20, 2013. Mass of Christian Burial, officiated by Father Ray Ackerman, will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church located at 2000 N. Western, Edmond on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. Full military honors will follow at Arlington Memorial Gardens in Midwest City, OK. The Crocker family would like to thank all of the staff at the Norman Veterans Center and the Valir Hospice for their gentle, compassionate care.