Edgar Elliot Crook was born to the parents of Alma Louise Boozer Crook and Louis Linder Crook on May 24, 1947, in Brutonville, Alabama. . He attended a four room schoolhouse for grades one (1) through (9) nine and graduated from Calhoun County Training School in 1965. He was the youngest of three brothers. Edgar’s mother, Alma Boozer Crook, and two brothers, Alvon and Richard and niece Alana Michelle, preceded him in death.
Ed received his B.S. Degree from Alabama A&M University in 1969 with a major in Political Science. Edgar taught both High School American History and Economics for the Cleveland Public Schools in Cleveland, Ohio for three (3) years. He also completed further studies at George Meany Center for Labor Studies. Edgar began employment with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) in 1972 and continued his employment with them for 40 years retiring in 2012. Ed was a Senior National Representative working extensively in 42 states and the Virgin Islands, while traveling over 4 million miles.
Ed was a wonderful guy, always caring and finding a way to be positive, supportive and simply joyful in even the most difficult of circumstances. He was just plain fun to be around. He was also one of the most dedicated AFT trade unionists you would ever meet. Quiet and unassuming, he never complained or felt sorry for himself though he suffered for seventeen (17) years waiting in line for a kidney transplant. He survived 6 years of health after his transplant in 2012.
Edgar was an avid NBA LA Lakers fan and NFL Cleveland Browns fan. In May 2018, he attended his 46th Kentucky Derby!
Edgar loved his church though everything he did was with extreme acuity when it came to contributions. He used to tell people that he was taking his significant contributions straight to heaven and handing it over, personally.
A favorite memory of his wife was that while he was working that most mornings before leaving he would place on her nightstand his pennies, nickels and quarters as his father did for him as a child. It was an omen that his golden coins would later prove that Edgar was a one of a kind “million dollar man”.
Edgar leaves behind his beloved wife Ida (Pinky) of 29 years (21July2018) and those he grew a deep love for and claimed as his own are daughter's Christina Elaine Morgan, Dawn Crook Baily, grandchildren, Brittney, Courtney and Chaz; great grands Journi, Zahaan and Theodore III; nieces-Elmira Kristina, Kim; grandnieces-Lauren Jennifer and Ellie Keri; nephews T.J, Brian and Kenny and his beloved sister-in-law, Alva Lee Jackson.
Funeral services will be held Monday July 16 at 11 AM at Cascade United Methodist Church, 3144 Cascade Road SW, Atlanta, GA 30311, with remains placed in state at 10 AM . Reverend Dr. Kevin R. Murriel, Reverend Dr. Sherry R. Austin and Reverend Dr. Marvin A. Moss will officiate. Interment will follow in Georgia Memorial Park Cemetery.
Those who desire may make contributions to the National Kidney Foundation of Georgia, 2951 Flowers Rd S Ste 211, Atlanta, GA 30341, or at www.kidney.org
Online condolences amy be made at www.GeorgiaMemorialPark.com
Georgia Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery, 2000 Cobb Parkway SE, Marietta, GA 30060. 770-432-0771.