Robert "Bob" Yancey Crocker Jr.

Bob Crocker, a caring husband, father, PawPaw, and friend known for his love of family, his passion for gambling, and his prowess at the poker table, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2025, surrounded by family. Born on April 20, 1950, in Rome, GA, Bob lived a life full of zest, memorable moments, and countless hours at the casino where his smiling face was well recognized.

Bob was not just a gambler; he was an enthusiast of life’s gambles, always ready to take a chance on a good hand or a new adventure with high stakes. His love for poker brought friends and family together for many nights of laughter, strategy, and the occasional bluff. Beyond the cards, Bob was known for his generous spirit, often going out of his way to help friends in need, believing that luck was meant to be shared. Bob’s legacy in the world of gambling is marked by his unforgettable stories from the “Little Game” and the Allstar poker tables, where he played with both skill and heart. His faith in God intertwined with his gambling spirit, as he trusted in God’s plan and believed that life itself was a gift worth taking chances on.

Bob was born in Rome, Georgia, and raised in Marietta, Georgia, where he graduated from R. L. Osborne High School in 1968. Bob served for 20 years in the U.S. military, including time in the Army in Würzburg, Germany, and in the Navy in Florida, Okinawa, California, and Washington. After retiring from the Navy in 1994, he worked as a paralegal in various law firms. Bob was also an avid collector, buyer, and seller of sports memorabilia. He owned and operated a small shop, Cardz and Comix, in Silverdale before health issues forced him to close.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Pauline Crocker; his wife’s parents, Hoyt and Barbara Garrett; his sister, Desiree Winter; his brother-in-law, Larry Collier; his niece, Tracey Ward; and his granddaughter, Evangeline Beaulieu.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Diane; two children, Wendy Beaulieu (Mike) and Jen Ledbetter (Andrew); and granddaughters Michaela, Amber and Faith Beaulieu and Addy Ledbetter; and grandsons Alex Ledbetter and Bobby Beaulieu. Other surviving family members include Angela Collier and her two children, Steve (Allison) and Tracy (Todd Butler); Nancy Quattrocchi (Bob) and her two children, Bill Turner (Erica) and Sabrina Turner; Joslyn Ward (Mike); Karl Garrett (Diane) and his daughter, Karla (Paul); Janet Waits (Ray) and her two daughters, Amanda Bozeman and Jessica Trout (Jerrimie); Greg Garrett and his two children, Keith Garrett (Sarah) and Melissa Shrunk; his brother-in-law, Mark Winter; his nephew, Jeremy Mitchell; and his niece, Amanda Yanes (Jose). Bob also leaves behind a wide circle of friends who considered him a brother in the game of life.

A celebration of life in honor of Bob will be held on January 30th at 2:00pm at Miller Woodlawn, where stories of his adventures at the poker table will be shared, along with memories of his warm and vibrant character. There will be a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation to aid in finding a cure. This charity was close to his heart, as he and his family have been greatly impacted by this disease.

Bob Crocker’s life was a high-stakes game played with love, laughter, and an unbeatable spirit. He will be deeply missed, but his lessons on life, chance, generosity, and friendship will continue to inspire all who knew him. Bob’s ultimate bet on faith in Christ has placed him where his luck will never run out at the table where he is always a winner.