Donald Patrick Crockett

Donald Patrick Crockett, age 52, a resident of Stokesdale, NC tragically passed away Saturday, March 19, 2016 in Greensboro, NC. He was born April 29, 1963 in Ayer, MA to Donald Crockett (deceased) and Mary Wehrman. He was a 24-year US Air Force veteran. He loved biking, which is an amazing dedication since he continued to break his bike and pop inner tubes much too often, baseball (he had grown very fond of the Greensboro Grasshoppers), and scuba diving (member of Divers Alert Network). He also enjoyed hiking and running trails with his wife.

Pat served in the US Army National Guard from 1983-1985 where he earned his jump wings. In 1987, Pat entered the US Air Force where he completed training as a Medical Laboratory Technician at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, TX. His first assignment was at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. During his assignment he supported blood donor services for those Airmen deployed to Operation Desert Storm and the Gulf War. In 1992, he fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a Basic Military Training Instructor in San Antonio, TX where he shaped the lives of many incoming Airmen. In 1995, he returned to the medical laboratory field at Wilford Hall Medical Center where he served in many positions over the next 12 years -- a few key positions included NCOIC of Laboratory Services (the largest US Air Force Analytical Lab for Medical Research), NCOIC of Microbiology which included a deployment to Balad Air Base during Operation Iraqi Freedom where he earned the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for protecting Airmen from bioterrorism as the leader of the US Air Force Biological Augmentation Team (BAT), NCOIC of Lackland AFB Blood Donor Center where he managed the shipment of blood in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. From 2007 until his retirement in 2011, he served as the Superintendent, Technical Services Branch for the US Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine at Brooks City Base. He was responsible for leading and managing the US Air Force Radiation Assessment Team (AFRAT) at the largest US Air Force Occupational and Environmental Health Chemistry Laboratory. This is where he expanded his expertise beyond the laboratory and became a key evaluator for the US Air Force, US Air Forces in Europe, and Air Force Space Command Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive (CBRNE) exercises and key liaison officer to the US Army in Northcom's Vibrant Response nuclear exercise. Over the course of his military career he was twice the Senior NCO of Year, twice the Senior NCO of the Quarter, awarded the Lance P Sijan US Air Force Leadership Award, earned two US Air Force Achievement Medals, three US Air Force Commendation Medals, and two Meritorious Service Medals. He was known for being a tough but fair leader that inspired Airmen to greatness. He could make an Airmen "shake in his boots one day and laugh hysterically the next". "He was one heck of a SNCO with a great sense of humor that touched so many lives and was very well respected by all." After retiring from the US Air Force as a MSgt, he completed his Bachelor of Science in Emergency Administration and Planning in 2013 from the University of North Texas. After his move to North Carolina with his wife, he was learning to enjoy retirement to the fullest.

Pat is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Amy Crockett of Stokesdale, NC; son, Christopher Crockett of Universal City, TX; stepfather, Victor Wehrman; mother-in-law, Shirley Forrester; father-in-law, Terry Penna; brother-in-law, Jeffery Penna; sister-in-law, Terrie York; niece, Priscilla York. Sister, Pam Crockett preceded him in death.

Memorial services will be held at 9:00am Friday, April 1, 2016 at the Porter Loring Mortuary North Chapel, 2102 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, TX 78232 with Pastor John Cannon officiating. Burial with military funeral honors provided by the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery Memorial Service Detachment will follow at 10:30am at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209.

Memorials may be sent to the NC Friends of the Mountain-to-Sea Trail, Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust, or Feeding America.