Patricia Crocker

Patricia Ann Crocker, or “Patsy” as she was known to her friends, was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, January 29, 1930. Her father, Dr. Walter Lemke, moved the family to Corpus Christi, Texas in 1947, where he set up a surgical practice. Patsy attended Del Mar College, where she majored in journalism and was managing editor of the school newspaper, “The Foghorn.” After graduation, she met William M. Crocker, “Bill”, President of Crocker Transfer and Storage, who became her adored husband in December of 1949.

They raised four sons and one daughter and were very happily married for over 52 years. Patsy and Bill left Corpus Christi in 1980, to make permanent residence at the Crocker Ranch in George West, Texas, where they raised Santa Gertrudis cattle until Bill’s death in 2001. Patsy stayed on running the cattle and hunting operations with her daughter, Sarita, and son, August, until her peaceful death at home January 29, 2017. She had an enthusiasm for the countryside, the grasses, the wildlife, even the dirt and snakes. That was expressed in every conversation, as she described what she observed each day. Her love of the land was surpassed only by great devotion to family.

During her life, Patsy was a member of Emanon Club, a Regent of the D.A.R. and a proud member of the Brush Country Texas Cattlewomen, Inc. She also founded the Acorn Scholarship Fund in honor of her late husband, Bill.

In 1986, Patsy and Bill suffered the sudden death of sons, Marshall and Thomas. A tremendous blow to the close knit family, they endured the loss with grace and fortitude.

Patsy is survived by her brother, Walter Lemke; and sister, Mary Garcia of Corpus Christi. She is survived by son, William and his wife, Martha Crocker of New Orleans, Louisiana; daughter, Sarita Crocker of George West, Texas; son, August and his wife, Georgi Crocker of Austin, Texas; daughter-in-law, Lisa and Bruce Paley of Maryland; and granddaughters, Natalie Paley and Caitlyn Miller.

In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to the Brush Country Texas Cattlewoman Scholarship fund, in the name of Patsy Crocker, to Marilyn Nance’s email address: nsister2@att.net .

The family is having a private funeral.