Samuel Crocker

Sam Crocker, a life long farmer in the Irish Bend Community, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2017. Encircled by the love and support of his family, Sam faced his last days with patience and dignity. He was born in Corvallis on January 2, 1939 to Keith and Florence Elliott Crocker, the second of their six children. He was a lively little boy, jumping about, so full of energy and making “faces” in just about every photo ever taken of him in his youth. He, along with his brother, Lanny, became vested in the family farm while still youngsters, working the fields, changing pipe, and rustling up the turkeys, a Crocker venture at the time. He was an active student at Monroe High School, where he served as student body president and met his future wife, Flora Bates. They had four children, all of whom live in the area and most continue to farm, as do their children, a tradition passed down from his namesake and great grandfather, Samuel Crocker, all told six generations of farmers. Sam was a man of many talents, a self styled architect who designed the family's seed cleaning buildings and offices, he had his hand in numerous projects and relished collecting everything from rusty tractors to antique scales. He was a terror on water skis and enjoyed summer days with his family on the Willamette River. Sam cherished his time with the grandkids, and was devoted to teaching them the fine art of sorting nails, mechanical repairs, pruning, or just hanging out together and going to Cowboy Church. In every aspect of his life, Sam lived a life devoted to Christianity and served as witness to the Lord Jesus, a modest man with deeply held principles. He studied the bible and was generous to those less fortunate than himself, and was an active member of Christ's Center in Junction City. In 2013, Sam married Sandy Berschneider, whose cheerful and kind nature served to strengthen the family. Her devotion and comfort to Sam is deeply appreciated and she is loved by all. Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Keith and Florence, and brother-in-law, Bill Volker. He is survived by his wife, Sandy; brother, Lanny (Nancy), sisters; Arita Volker, Mary Fisher (Harold), Tamara Crocker (Randy Sell), Gretchen Humphry (Derek), his sons; Matthew (Linda), and Mark, his daughters; Elizabeth Brooks (Tom), Rebecca Crocker Turman (John), stepdaughter, Lauri Wright, grandchildren; Andrew, Taylor, and Carmen Crocker, John Brooks (Kelsey), Juli Larsen (Nathan), Lilllian and Maxwell Turman, and Ryland; great grandchildren; Tommy, Henry, Kaden, Carson, Casen, Jolynn, and Justin. Graveside services will be held at Bellfountain Cemetery on September 5th at 9:30 a.m., 2566 Dawson Road, followed by a memorial service at 11a.m. at Christ's Center, 530 W. 7th Ave., in Junction City. A reception will follow at Christ's Center. Please consider a donation in Sam's name to one of the following: Benton Hospice Service, 2350 N.W. Professional Dr., Corvallis,OR 97330 Christ's Center, 530 W. 7th Ave., Junction City, OR 97448 Cowboy Church of Oregon, 530 W. 7th Ave., Junction City, OR 97448 Monroe Methodist Church, 648 Orchard St., Monroe, OR 97456

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Samuel Crocker

January 2, 1939 - August 25, 2017