Jack Wayne Crocker, EdD, of Killen, passed away Tuesday, November 26, 2013. Visitation will be Friday, November 29, 2013, from 10:00 a.m. until Noon at Spry~Williams Funeral Home, Florence. The funeral service will follow at Noon in the funeral home chapel with Brother Kevin Johnson officiating. Interment will be in Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Bessemer. Dr. Crocker was born in Birmingham, Alabama on June 6, 1929. He served in the U.S. Navy and was a Korean War Veteran. He graduated from Tulsa University (BA and MA) and The University of Alabama (EdS and EdD). He participated in football and track at Mississippi State and Tulsa, and was an Honorable Mention All-American in football. Dr. Crocker was a professor at The University of North Alabama, serving as Director of Continuing Education, Dean of Graduate Studies, and Assistant to the President. He enjoyed golf, bridge and travel. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Kappa, the Sportsmen Club, the Lion’s Club, the Masons, and the UNA President’s Cabinet. Dr. Crocker was preceded in death by his parents, Luckey Alfred and Marie Staggs Crocker. He is survived by his wife, Margie Slate Crocker; son, Shawn D. Barnes and wife Sylvia Hagan Barnes of Birmingham; grandchildren, Sophie Barnes, Arthur Barnes, and Juliet Barnes; brother, William Luckey Crocker and wife Jean; niece, Leigh Haley; nephews W. L. Crocker, Jr. and Larry Crocker. Pallbearers will be family. Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Florence, Alabama, 209 North Walnut Street, Florence, Al. 35630
