Cover photo for Mr. James R. Crocker, Jr.'s Obituary
Mr. James R. Crocker, Jr. Profile Photo

Mr. James R. Crocker, Jr.

July 16, 1944 — February 28, 2022

Mr. James R. Crocker, Jr.

Northport Funeral & Cremation Service family extends our warmest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mr. James R. Crocker, Jr. Mr. Crocker passed away on Monday, February 28, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, AL.
James Rexford Crocker, Jr., 77, died on February 28, 2022, at DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, AL, following a stroke. He was born on July 16, 1944, in Selma, AL, to James R. Crocker, Sr., and Louise Alexander Crocker. He was raised on a cattle farm, Dogwood Hill, in the small town of Thomaston, in Marengo County, AL. He graduated from Marengo County High School in 1962 and went on to attend Livingston University, where he obtained his B.S. in Education in 1966. He then obtained his M.A. and Ed.S. in Educational Administration from the University of Alabama in 1968 and 1981, respectively. He was a devoted educator for 33 years. He began his career teaching history in Mountain Brook, AL, where he also coached football. He soon made the transition into administration and served as either principal or vice principal in schools in Banks, Montgomery, and Tuscaloosa, AL, where he retired.
In addition to his parents, James is preceded in death by his daughter, Janice Crocker Herring Lampkin. He is survived by his wife, Vicki Adams Crocker, with whom he would have celebrated 40 years of marriage in June. He is also survived by his daughter, Leigh Ellen Crocker Bee, and stepdaughter, Johnaca (Bo Christison) Kelley; seven grandchildren, Joseph (Erin) Herring, Laura Leigh Herring (Mike) Krauss, Wilson Herring, Matthew Bee, Joshua Bee, Mirrol Christison, and Isabella Lampkin; two great-grandsons, James Krauss and Knox Herring; his brother, Richard (Carolyn) Crocker, and his sister, Dana Marie Crocker (Dwain) Templeton; three nephews and one niece.
James, known as Jimmy Rex by those who knew him as a child, had a great love for all things Alabama, most especially football, and was an avid reader. He had a huge heart, especially for children, and whether from former students or his own family, he received much love in return. Of all the roles he filled in his life, he was most proud of being a wonderful grandfather. Whether he was answering to “Granddaddy”, “Grandy”, or “Di Di”, his grandchildren meant the world to him, and they will all have precious memories to carry with them throughout their lives.
Following the spreading of his ashes, there will be a memorial reception on April 23, 2022, from 2:00-4:00pm at the Thomaston Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Thomaston, AL. All are invited to attend.
Donations may be made to the Tuscaloosa Public Library, 1801 Jack Warner Parkway, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35401 (specifying James Crocker memorial), or to the charity of your choice.

Compassionate, sympathetic, and professional service has been entrusted to the hands and care of the Northport Funeral & Cremation Service Professional Team.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all attendees of services and visitations are required to wear a mask and attempt to maintain 6ft social distancing.

Northport Funeral & Cremation Service family extends our warmest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mr. James R. Crocker, Jr. Mr. Crocker passed away on Monday, February 28, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, AL.
James Rexford Crocker, Jr., 77, died on February 28, 2022, at DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, AL, following a stroke. He was born on July 16, 1944, in Selma, AL, to James R. Crocker, Sr., and Louise Alexander Crocker. He was raised on a cattle farm, Dogwood Hill, in the small town of Thomaston, in Marengo County, AL. He graduated from Marengo County High School in 1962 and went on to attend Livingston University, where he obtained his B.S. in Education in 1966. He then obtained his M.A. and Ed.S. in Educational Administration from the University of Alabama in 1968 and 1981, respectively. He was a devoted educator for 33 years. He began his career teaching history in Mountain Brook, AL, where he also coached football. He soon made the transition into administration and served as either principal or vice principal in schools in Banks, Montgomery, and Tuscaloosa, AL, where he retired.
In addition to his parents, James is preceded in death by his daughter, Janice Crocker Herring Lampkin. He is survived by his wife, Vicki Adams Crocker, with whom he would have celebrated 40 years of marriage in June. He is also survived by his daughter, Leigh Ellen Crocker Bee, and stepdaughter, Johnaca (Bo Christison) Kelley; seven grandchildren, Joseph (Erin) Herring, Laura Leigh Herring (Mike) Krauss, Wilson Herring, Matthew Bee, Joshua Bee, Mirrol Christison, and Isabella Lampkin; two great-grandsons, James Krauss and Knox Herring; his brother, Richard (Carolyn) Crocker, and his sister, Dana Marie Crocker (Dwain) Templeton; three nephews and one niece.
James, known as Jimmy Rex by those who knew him as a child, had a great love for all things Alabama, most especially football, and was an avid reader. He had a huge heart, especially for children, and whether from former students or his own family, he received much love in return. Of all the roles he filled in his life, he was most proud of being a wonderful grandfather. Whether he was answering to “Granddaddy”, “Grandy”, or “Di Di”, his grandchildren meant the world to him, and they will all have precious memories to carry with them throughout their lives.
Following the spreading of his ashes, there will be a memorial reception on April 23, 2022, from 2:00-4:00pm at the Thomaston Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Thomaston, AL. All are invited to attend.
Donations may be made to the Tuscaloosa Public Library, 1801 Jack Warner Parkway, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35401 (specifying James Crocker memorial), or to the charity of your choice.

Compassionate, sympathetic, and professional service has been entrusted to the hands and care of the Northport Funeral & Cremation Service Professional Team.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all attendees of services and visitations are required to wear a mask and attempt to maintain 6ft social distancing.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mr. James R. Crocker, Jr., please visit our flower store.

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