Larry Thomas Crocker, 79 of Sapulpa, Oklahoma went to be with the Lord August 6, 2023. Larry was born on July 31, 1944, in Wagoner, Oklahoma to Edith Inez and Roy Lee Crocker. He was proud of his Cherokee heritage.
Larry graduated from Central High School in Muskogee in 1963. Upon graduating, he had two kids, Jeff Crocker, and Shelly Crocker Cook. He went on to attend college at Connors State where he studied criminology, eventually getting his associate degree in Police Science at San Fransico City College in California while working as campus police. He worked for the Muskogee Police Department for several years and for the federal law enforcement at Fort Totten Indian Reservation in North Dakota. He served in other capacities including Sherriff Deputy for Creek County. Like others, Larry did many courageous tasks while serving in law enforcement including saving a man from a burning vehicle and surviving a gun shot wound to the back.
In 1987 Larry decided to go a different route in his career. He went back to school and got his Bachelor of Science degree in Funeral Services from the University of Central Oklahoma. He directed Wheeler’s Funeral Home in Sallisaw for a few years where he met Kathy. They fell in love and married on September 2, 1993. Kathy had two children, Tony, and Heather. Larry got a new job directing Owen’s Funeral Home in Sapulpa, Oklahoma which became their final homeplace. Larry served in the funeral business for several years before deciding to retire. After retirement he worked at Jenks and Sapulpa Public School driving a school bus.
Larry was a member at West Side Free Will Baptist Church in Sapulpa. Throughout the years his hobbies included target practice, scuba diving, spear fishing, boating, performing illusions, and playing games on his phone in his recliner. He loved to debate with people about their beliefs and talk about the Bible.
He is survived by his wife Kathy, daughter Shelly and her husband Blair of Florida, daughter Heather and her husband Roger of Sapulpa, son Tony and his wife Rachel of Sapulpa, 9 grandkids, and several great grandkids. He is preceded in death by his parents, his son, and two granddaughters.
Arrangements are being handled by Green Hill Funeral Home in Sapulpa. The viewing will be held at Green Hill on Thursday, Aug. 10th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Services will be held at West Side Free Will Baptist Church, 1403 S. Cheyenne Rd in Sapulpa on Friday, Aug. 11th at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Roger McDougal officiating. There will not be a graveside.
