Alton Crooke, 94, of Columbus, Georgia, entered his heavenly home on January 8, 2024. A visitation to celebrate the life of Alton will be held at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, Georgia 31907, on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 1:00 pm followed by a funeral service at 2:00 pm officiated by Rev. Jerry Speer. Services conclude with a committal service at Parkhill Cemetery, 4161 Macon Road, Columbus, Georgia 31907, featuring the United States Air Force with Military Honors.
Alton was born in Ideal, Georgia, to the late Agnes and Dennis Crooke. Alton graduated from Butler High School in Butler, GA then was called into active duty to serve in WWII in Japan, then in the Korean War in Korea for the United States Army Air Corps, which then became the United States Air Force. During this time he was awarded the WWII Victory Medal Army of Occupation Medal Japan. As a SGT in the Air Force, Alton was then called into active duty reserve. Between enlistments, he went to Louisville, KY to visit family and work a summer job where he met Dorothy McCoy at R.C. Tway Company. When Alton was called back into active duty he decided to marry the love of his life, Dorothy McCoy Crooke, and the newlyweds moved to Albuquerque. Soon after, they moved to Columbus, GA and Alton and Dorothy remained faithfully married for 72 years. Alton attended college and became a Program Analyst. He worked for the U.S. government Civil Service/Budget and Accounting at Ft. Benning in Columbus, Georgia. He was a member of Northside Baptist Church and loved to serve others. After retirement, he loved to spend his free time playing golf. At times, he played in a senior softball team. Alton also loved to read westerns.
Alton is survived by his wife, Dorothy McCoy Crooke; children, Danny Crooke, David Crooke, Ray Crooke (Stephanie), and Karen Schwartz (John Thomas); grandchildren, Michael Crooke (Brandy Mickey), Candice Tilson (Todd), and Jackson Schwartz; and great-grandchildren, Autumn and Peyton.
Alton is preceded in death by his parents, Agnes and Dennis Crooke and brothers, Troy, Norman, and Edward.
