Dr. Edward Frank Crocker

Dr. Edward Frank Crocker, age 87, peacefully passed away on July 15, 2014. He was born June 3, 1927 in Gibson County, Tennessee. He attended a one room school house in Mt. Pisgah,TN through the 5th grade. He spent his high school years in Bradford driving the school bus (three routes) during his senior year. He graduated from Bradford High School in 1944 at 16 years of age.Dr. Crocker was proud to have served his country as an enlisted man in the US Navy (1945-46) and as an officer in the TN National Guard (1952-62). He graduated from the University of Tennessee Medical School, 1951. After graduation, Dr. Crocker practiced general medicine in Fulton, Ky from 1952-1961. He then completed a general surgery residency at Baptist Hospital in Nashville. He and Gayle moved to Jackson in 1965 where he practiced general, thoracic, and vascular surgery until he retired in 1992. He was a diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and a fellow of the American College of Surgery. He served as Chief of Staff at Jackson Madison General Hospital in 1987. He was proud to be a founding member of Jackson Surgical Associates in 1970, along with Drs. Barnett Scott and George Dodson. He was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church in downtown Jackson, TN where he served a term as Lay Leader along with many other church duties. After retirement, he could be found on the golf course or proudly working as a Health Department Advocate on teen pregnancy prevention. He was preceded in death by his parents, V.O. and Annie Crocker; brother, Gerald Crocker and sister, Lela Tate. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Gayle Crocker; sons, Edward Crocker, Jr. (Trudy), Tim Crocker (Rosemary), Scott Crocker (Ruth), John Crocker (Susan) and daughter, Catherine Crocker Hines. Edward (Papa ) had 16 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, whom he doted on and loved, and with whom he made many sand castle boats at the beach. Edward is also survived by his sister, Phyllis McLaughlin (John) and brother, Dan Crocker (Barbara).A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, July 19th at 3 p.m., at First United Methodist Church in Jackson, TN. Receiving of friends will be from 1-3 p.m. at the church before the service. The family requests that memorials be made to the church's music department or pastor's fund. George A. Smith and Sons Funeral Home, (731) 427-5555. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/jacksonsun/obituary.aspx?n=edward-frank-crocker&pid=171750035&fhid=11028#sthash.oTiidreD.dpuf