Jack Franklyn Crocker

Jack Franklyn Crocker

5/10/1920 - 4/13/2017

Jack was born in Portland, Oregon, on May 10, 1920, to Gladys and L. M. (Lew) Crocker.  He was educated in various Oregon elementary and high schools, graduating from Elgin High School in Elgin, Oregon in 1937, and subsequently went to Seattle to attend the engineering school of the University of Washington.  During World War II he worked in various Seattle shipyards as a draftsman while continuing his studies in night courses at the University, ultimately receiving a state license as a Registered Naval Architect and Marine Engineer.  In 1941, he married Louise Larsen and they moved to Tacoma in 1950, where he was employed by the Tacoma Boatbuilding Company, helping in the design of numerous fishing and commercial vessels, eventually rising to the position of Chief Engineer for the company.  In 1956, he opened and successfully operated his own engineering office. J. F. Crocker and Associates, in North Tacoma.  In 1980, he was one of the original partners and engineering vice president of Western Maritime Shipyard in Tacoma.  In 1983, he joined the staff of A. A. Anderson and Associates, an engineering company in Bremerton, retiring in 1995.  Jack was an avid golfer, a member of Fircrest Golf Club for 15 years and subsequently the North Shore Golf Club.  He was a member of the Tacoma Elks, the Tacoma Propeller Club, the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, and was President of the Tacoma Swim Club in 1968, the year in which Kaye Hall won three swimming medals in the Mexico City Olympics.

He was preceded in death by his wife Louise in 1998, and his nephew Eldon Fredriksen (Sandy) of Seattle in 2016; he is survived by his daughters Candy Nigretto (Rockney) and Cheri Matheson (Ken), his grandson Brandon Peters, a nephew, Brooke Larsen (Karen) of Ancramdale, New York, a niece, Yvonne Williams of Quadra Island, BC, and his companion of several years, Eleanor Earley.

The family would like to thank the owners, caregivers, and everyone associated with Grand Care Home for the comfort and compassion they gave to Jack in his final days.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, April 30 at Johnny’s Dock Restaurant from 1 – 4 PM.

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