Jerry L. Crocker

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Jerry Crocker, 74, of Brookland, passsed from this life on Saturday, February 24, 2018, at St. Bernards Medical Center surrounded by family.

Jerry always loved to talk and laugh and made friends easily. He was married to his high school classmate, Margie, in October 1965 and they enjoyed 52 years together.

Jerry was born to Ralph and Earline Crocker on December 31, 1943. he fought many battles on the sidewalks of North Jonesboro as a young boy, but those battles resulted in many lasting friendships. He attended North School and Annie Camp through the seventh grade. Jerry spoke so frequently of friends and teachers there. On Saturdays he could be found at the downtown movie theatre. For 25 cents he could attend all-day movies, popcorn and a Coke.

Jerry moved to Pine Log Road and attended Brookland schools from 8th-12th grade and graduated in 1962 with honors. He was president of his senior class and served as student council president. Jerry started working at Minton's Service Station at age 14 on weekends and it was there that he learned much about mechanics and hard work. Margie doesn't remember anything that he couldn't repair or fix. He had the ability to always figure it out.

Jerry was a member of the Arkansas National Guard and served six months in Fort Polk, LA. In 1965, he attended Arkansas State College and started work for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. He retired from Southwestern Bell with 20 years of service but before retirement he started a security system business in Paragould, Arkansas, after hours and named the business Northeast Electronics. He enjoyed many years of working hard and building his company. He was a member of the Paragould Economic Development Council, the Paragould Rotary Club and the Paragould Chamber of Commerce. In 2015, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award for meeting the needs of the Paragould community when called.

Jerry loved Louis Armstrong music and would listen to his tapes and sing his songs quite frequently.

Jerry was a member of Nettleton Baptist Church and enjoyed serving as greeter. He was passionate about showing love to the members of the church and also to others he came in contact with in the community. He supported Grace Mission in Paragould and was a 32nd degree Mason. Jerry was preceded in death by his daughter, Ashley Crocker Elliott, and his parents.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Margie, his daughter Cari (Coy) Boyd, his grandsons Trey, Lucas and Cade, and granddaughter, Eden Elliott, his son-in-law, Britt Elliott of Maumelle, Arkansas, a sister-in-law, Helen (John) Bishop, two sisters, three brothers, a special cousin Larry Montgomery and several aunts.

Jerry's family will very much miss his laughter, his stimulating conversations and his love. Special Thanks to Dr. Donald Guinn, Dr. Nicholas Guinn and Dr. Marc Monte.

Visitation will be from 12 noon-2:00 p.m. Tuesday at Nettleton Baptist Church, 7001 E. Johnson Ave. Funeral services will follow visitation at 2:00 in the church sanctuary with Dr. Stan Ballard officiating. Eulogies will be given by Dale Coy and Mike Gaskill.

Active pallbearers include Bob Clairday, Bert Cole, Charles Weathers, Keith Blackman, Bret Smith and Casey Smith.

Honorary pallbearers include Larry Pitman, Hershel Colbert, Dale Coy, Ron Stevens, Herb Bland, Bill Fisher, Joe Barnett, Melvin Womack, J.D. Dowdy, Fred Wilcox, Moud Gazaway, Charles Luter, Ricky McMunn, Mike Gaskill, Charlie Partlow, Dennis Abell, Jerry Reece, Sherry Lashley, Doug Bradley, Joe Wessell, Donnie Miles, present and past employees of Northeast Electronics, and in rememberance of his friends who have gone to heaven before him the late Leon Brinkley, Frank Childers and Jerry Gibson.

In 2007, Jerry was diagnosed with cancer. He fought the disease bravely, always positive and smiling and still always thinking of others. He showed strength and courage and God was gracious. In his passing, he will continue to touch lives and be an influence on how he lived life through happy times and through life's struggles. His wife state that he would leave for work most mornings talking about the beautiful sunrise or singing a Louis Armstrong song when he'd had little sleep the night before.

Lasting memorials may be made to the Nettleton Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 2415, Jonesboro, AR 72401 or the charity of the donor's choice.