David Crocker

Published in Kalamazoo Gazette on August 18, 2010

CROCKER, David Gene
November 2, 1933 - August 13, 2010

David died peacefully in the presence of family at the University of Michigan Hospital on August 13, 2010. David was born in Chelsea, Michigan on November 2, 1933, to Jean Turnbull Crocker and Berchman E. Crocker.

David met his future wife and the love of his life, Doris Haist, while attending Chelsea High School. David and Doris were married on October 2, 1954.

David loved sports and excelled athletically. He played baseball and basketball at Chelsea High School. As a senior, David's record breaking year lead the Chelsea Bulldogs basketball team to a State Championship. David's efforts earned a scholarship to play basketball at the University of Michigan.

While his career in basketball was brief, the friendships he made with teammates at Chelsea High School and the University of Michigan endured for the remainder of his life.

In the years following high school, David's pitching skills gave him the opportunity to sign and play with the St. Louis Browns/Baltimore Orioles baseball organization. He played in the organization's farm development system in York, Hannibal, Anderson, and Aberdeen. During this wonderful adventure, David was on the road for weeks on end. He often bragged that he earned an additional $50 a month driving the team bus.

David enjoyed sports and attended the University of Michigan and Western Michigan University intending to become a coach. His career took an alternate path when an academic counselor suggested that David enroll in a special program which simultaneously granted undergraduate and law degrees.

Following in the steps of his grandfather and great-grandfather, David pursued a career in law, receiving an undergraduate and law degree from the University of Michigan in 1958.

After serving as a Judge Advocate General in the United States Marine Corp from 1958 through 1961, David moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan to practice law. David began his practice with the law firm of Stapleton, Adams, Kidston & Crocker. Thereafter, David moved his practice to Early, Starbuck & Lennon.

David enjoyed thirty-six years in practice with Early, Starbuck & Lennon (with the law firm's name changing twice. Initially to Early, Lennon, Peters & Crocker and then to Early, Lennon, Crocker & Bartosiewicz). For over thirty years, David served as General Counsel for Borgess Medical Center.

In 2008, David moved his practice to Crocker & Crocker, PC. David relished legal challenges and actively practiced law with his two sons until shortly before his death.

David enjoyed spending free time on and near water. As a child, David spent long summers at Sugarloaf Lake and Cavanaugh Lake in Washtenaw County.

As an adult, David summered on Gull Lake Island and on Lake Michigan; eventually making South Haven his primary residence.

David loved watching his grandchildren participate in sporting events. Depending on the season, he made time to watch each of his five grandchildren play baseball or softball; soccer or football; basketball or tennis. Although a quiet man, friends remark that conversations involving his grandchildren made him almost chatty.

David was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Douglas David.

Surviving family members include his wife and companion of nearly 60 years; Doris, their children; Blake (Nikki) and Patrick (Krista), and his beloved grandchildren; Davis, Avery, Reed, Abigail and Josephine.

In lieu of flowers, donations will be most gratefully received by the University of Michigan Cancer Center.

A celebration of David's life will take place on September 19, 2010 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Gull Lake Country Club, Richland, Michigan.