Bartonville – Christopher Brett “Uncle B” Croxton, 59, of Bartonville, passed away on Friday, May 7, 2021 at Unity Point Health Methodist in Peoria. He was born on September 5, 1961, a son of James H. and Janet R. (Gossage) Croxton. He married Lori Smith on December 20, 2003 in Spring Bay. She survives.
Chris is also survived by his two step-sons, Nicholas and Christopher Foley, both of Bartonville; his mother, Janet Croxton of Peoria; brother, Gregg Jaymes (Mary Ann) Croxton of Mesa, AZ; two sisters, Lori (Mike) Carroll and Kymm (Bryan Vicary) Croxton, both of Peoria; nephews and nieces, Lisa ( Lyle) Utsinger of Galesburg; Billy Dennison of Pekin; Brian (Megan Parcesepe) Dennison of Bartonville; Leigh Anne (Frank Dircks) Kuhn of Washington; Jacob Carroll of Peoria, several great and great-great nieces and nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his infant child; father; sister, Valerie Freeman; and nephew, Steffon Croxton.
Chris was a kind soul and had a wonderful relationship with his family. A great husband and step-father. A wonderful son and brother. A mentor to his nephews and nieces. He was also an accomplished bassist and vocalist for the last 45 years living in Peoria and Ft. Worth, TX. His love for music began in fourth grade with a stand up bass and he never quit playing.
Chris worked as the operations manager for Texas Lil’s Dude Ranch in Justin, TX from 1984 to 2001. For the last 8 years, Chris ran a CD/DVD business providing duplication, graphic art and packaging services to local entertainers for distribution and promotional use. Recently he was working in maintenance for the Phoenix Community Development Services in Peoria.
After moving to Ft. Worth in 1983, Chris played with a variety of very talented musicians. He played for U.S. and foreign dignitaries, including Newt Gingrich, Dick Armey, Jane Nelson and the President of Equatorial (New) Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema. Chris was also featured in The American Cowboy Magazine as the “Singing Cowboy” found exclusively at Texas Lil’s. Chris had the pleasure of performing twice with the Top Resa World Tour Shows in Paris and Deauville, France.
When Chris returned to Illinois in 2001, he performed as a bassist, vocalist and lead vocalist with multiple bands including his parents’ band, Jan LaCrosse and the Cross Country; the Southern Cross Band; Kenny Williams and the Country All Stars; the Havana Opry Band; the Brian Dennison Band; Long Hard Ride and Chris and Company.
Chris didn’t know a stranger. He helped friends and family in their hours of need by working on their autos, HV/AC, plumbing, etc. Chris performed hundreds of fundraising functions for St. Jude, the Fulton County Rehab Center, “no kill” animal shelters, local food pantries and countless families with financial needs.
Chris loved his family, his music and his life. His mantra was “B Positive!”
Chris's funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 14, 2021 at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel in Peoria. His visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at the funeral home. An additional visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Phoenix Community Development Services at https://phoenixcds.org/giving/.
Online condolences may be left for Chris's family at www.davison-fulton.com.
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