Russell Allen Crocker

Russell Allen Crocker, 91, of Frederick, passed away June 17, 2016. Peacefully and with family.

He was born on March 22, 1925 in Baltimore, MD to Raymond Ulysses Crocker and Vera Shuff Crocker.

Preceded in death by his parents, siblings Doris, James and Evelyn, grandsons Mark A. Crocker Jr. and Allen E. Crocker and his loving wife Janet of 57 years.

Russell was a graduate of Frederick High School class of 1943.

Russell joined the U.S. Army Air Corps on July 15, 1943 and served as a "Top Turrent Gunner" on a B24D bomber flying with the 15th Air Force, 455th Bomb Group, 742 Squadron, based in North Africa and then Italy. Achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant and receiving the following awards, Airman's Wings, WWII Campaign 1941-1945, American Campaign 1941-1945, American Air Medal with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster, European African Middle Eastern Campaign 1941-1945 with 4 stars and the Good Conduct Medal.

Upon his return from Italy at the end of the war he was assigned to Camp Detrick as a Fire Fighter which was a war service appointment. Russell then went into construction as a mason for several years before beginning a Home Building business, Crocker and Little Builders Inc., with a partner the late Ralph Little Jr. that spanned 40 years. Once they retired from building they formed Crocker and Little Properties, Inc. and managed rental homes and apartments all of which they had built themselves.

Russell enjoyed boating on the Potomac River at White's Ferry for many years. He also enjoyed fine cars his favorites were Buick's and Cadillac's and always keeping them very clean and waxed was a task he loved. Trains were a big enjoyment he really talked about and he visited many trains and took some train excursions, growing up in a time in America that trains were used so much. Of course being an Airman during the war lead to his fascination with aircraft and when vintage planes came to Frederick he would be at the Frederick airport. His best memory there was when a B24 came to town and the outfit that brought it to Frederick once learning that he was on one during the war had him crawling through every part of the aircraft, they enjoyed him as much as he enjoyed it.

Russell is survived by all his children, Mark A. Crocker and wife Jocelyn of Sabillasville, David W. Crocker and his wife Kimberly of Rhohersville, Carol L. Bussard and husband Barry of Middletown, Laura L. Shipley and partner James MacKenzie of Frederick, Michael S. Crocker and wife Jeannie of Walkersville. Two brothers in-law Robert Chapman and wife Odile of Rockville and Griffin Chapman of Virginia. Several nieces and nephews, 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers you may contribute to the Wounded Warriors Fund at www.woundwarriorproject.org or the USO at www.uso.org .

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4pm and 6 to 8pm, on Wednesday, June 22, 2016, at the Keeney & Basford Funeral Home, 106 E. Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701. The funeral service will be at 2:00PM, on Thursday, June 23, 2016, in the Etchison Memorial Chapel at the funeral home.

Interment with military honors will follow in the Garden of Veterans at Resthaven Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Jesse Crocker, Russell Crocker, Cole Crocker, Nicholas Crocker, Michael Thompson, Clay Bussard and Bret Shipley.

Online condolences may be shared at www.keeneybasford.com