Sheldon M. Crocker, Master Sergeant U.S.M.C, Retired, 82, of Damariscotta, passed away at his home on the morning of Feb. 2. Born on Jan. 17, 1932 in Lewiston, he was the son of Winford W. Crocker and Hazel M. Taylor Crocker.
He attended schools throughout the state, some of which were one-room schoolhouses. He began high school in Sherman Mills and graduated from Lincoln Academy in 1951. While there, he participated in the sports of cross-country, track, and baseball, earning his varsity letters in each.
Upon graduation, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, training at Parris Island and Camp Pendleton before being shipped to Korea with the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division from December 1951 to January 1953.
He later served in Vietnam with MATCU 67, 1st Marine Air Wing at Chu Lai from October 1965 to December 1966.
Other duty stations included two tours in Japan, Quantico, Va., Lejeune, N.C., New River, N.C., Cherry Pt., N.C., Kaneohe, Hawaii, Willow Grove, Penn., and various schools, and training cruises to Puerto Rico and the Mediterranean.
While at “A” School in Olathe, Kansas, he met his wife, the former Dana Harris of Fielder Landing, Cal. During duty in North Carolina, they adopted their first child, Shawn, and later in their tour in Hawaii, adopted a second son, Daniel, and their daughter Kathleen.
Sheldon was proud of his service to his country and his Marine Corps. He was fun loving, a jokester, and made friends easily. His hobbies included golf and reading, but more than anything, he loved spending time with his grandchildren on special day outings. Although he loved music, he wasn’t the best singer, and his family always asked him to stop whenever he attempted to try.
Upon his honorable discharge, he worked for several years as a security officer at Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company. He was a member of the American Legion, the VFW, the DAV, MCAF and MATCA. After retirement, Sheldon and his wife enjoyed travelling and going to the reunions of MATCA.
Sheldon was a family man.
He was predeceased by his sons, Shawn Crocker of Damariscotta, and Daniel Crocker of Allen, Tex.
He is survived by his wife, Dana Crocker of Damariscotta; daughter, Kathleen Chisholm of Damariscotta; daughter-in-law, Susan Crocker of Allen, Tex.; grandchildren, Daniel Crocker, Kristy Zimmerman, Sarah Bowns, Brittney Hammond, Nicole Crocker, and Owen Chisholm; and great-grandchild, Aiden Zimmerman.
A memorial service, with military honors, will be held at 3 p.m., Thurs., Feb. 6 at the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Federal Savings and Loan, c/o Kathleen Chisholm, 283 Main St., Damariscotta, ME 04543. Donations will be distributed in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, and a local fuel assistance program.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
