Robert Clifford Crooks

Robert C. Crooks (Bob to friends) Bob Crooks of Tempe, Arizona passed away Thursday January 06, 2022 at the age of 60. Bob was born in Rockford, Illinois on February 16, 1961 to Paul and Marilyn (Engel) Crooks. He was the youngest child out of four children. He was 8 years old when the family moved from Illinois to Arizona. The schools he attended were Whitehead Elementary School for K and 1st grades, Hudson elementary school, McKemy Jr High School, and McClintock High School. Bob’s interests when he was in grade school were Cub Scouts and Indian Guides. He attended Tempe Park and Rec. during his elementary school time. That is also where he made friends. One of the classes he had at McClintock High was plastic shop where he met his good friend, Dennis Mahon. His first jobs during his high school years was at Village Inn Pizza (he would bring pizza home for the family), Nachos Mexican Food (even his sister Debby worked there), and the restaurant That Mexican Food Place (the owner gave Bobby a spaghetti recipe that is known as Bobby’s Spaghetti and it has been made over the years). His last job in High School was working for a parking lot cleaning service. As for hobbies and interests he did enjoy snow skiing, high school dances, concerts, classic car shows, rock music (played loudly in his room.) In May of 1980 he graduated from McClintock High School, though we were unsure he would graduate on time. In the fall of 1980 Bob took some college classes at Mesa Community College. In January of 1982, Bob, Don Garland, and Dennis Mahon officially enlisted in the Air Force. His boot camp and Tech School was at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. He was next stationed in Misawa, Japan for 2 years. His third base was Advance Tech School at Naval Air Corry Station, Pensacola Florida. His fourth base was at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was tech support for the Stealth Fighter. In 1990 he was tech support for F117 Signals Intelligence Analyst during Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia. His last base he worked at was back at Naval Air Corry Station working as an instructor in Defense and Security. At the end of 2003 he retired from the Air Force but continued to work in the same area but as a Program Analyst at DON Civil Service. By 2015 he retired from the civil service and went to work as a retail clerk at Circle K still in Florida. When his father was diagnosed with Dementia, Bob moved back to Tempe, Arizona to help with our Dad. His last job was working at Circle K as a retail clerk. He has had health issues on and off but he has persevered through the years until he couldn’t control the issues anymore. He will greatly be missed by his family and friends. So remember him for the good times and lasting memories. He is survived by his mother Marilyn (Engel) Crooks, & his sisters Catherine (David) Houk; Deborah (Bill) Dooley and his brother Thomas (Leslie) Crooks. He also survived by his nieces & nephews: Jennifer Lewis; Josh Crooks; Billy (Taylor) Dooley; Olivia (Anthany) Alfarano, Aaron Houk, & Tiffany Dooley and many great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father Paul S. Crooks.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to one of these organizations:

Teen Challenge of Arizona, PO Box 5966, Tucson, AZ. 85703

Salvation Army Southwest Div2707 E Van Buren St., Phoenix, AZ 85008, Email: donorcare@ USW.salvationarmy.org

PAL - Parents of Addicted Loved Ones, 11225 N. 28th Dr. Suite B109, Phoenix, AZ 85029, Phone # 480-300-4712

A Funeral Service for Robert will be held Friday, January 21, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Lakeshore Mortuary, 1815 South Dobson Road, Mesa, Arizona 85202. A reception will be held immediately following the Funeral Service and attendees are invited to join for fellowship and sharing.

Graveside service and funeral honors will begin at 1:00 PM, Valley of the Sun Cemetery, 10940 East Chandler Heights Road, Chandler, AZ 85248.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LakeshoreMort.com for the Crooks family.