My wonderful dad, Dr. Kenneth L. Crocker passed away June 22,2016.
I’ve tried to post a blog about him several times but my grief has been overwhelming. Dad was my best friend, my mentor and a great source of strength. I knew I could call him anytime and he would have just the right words to get me up and moving again. I didn’t know how difficult it would be transfer the strength I found just being in the room with him to a determination to go on without him.
Dad and I were very close and yet different in many ways. What he taught me not only changed my life, it caused me to respect him in a way few children respect their parents. I never mistrusted my dad. I knew he would tell me the absolute truth. I knew if he had researched an issue it was never one-sided. He gave me “all” the facts both good and bad on all sides.
My daughter Amie shared the best advice she learned from her Papaw. “He wouldn’t let us get by with slopping thinking. Going out to eat with him and Memaw after church, he would ask us what we learned from his sermon. I’d say something like, ‘I learned you will get in trouble with God if your motive is wrong.’
He’d smile and say, “How do you know that?”
“Because you said it today.”
“But Amie, how do you know? Don’t take my word or anyone’s word for it – how do you know?”
My eyes filled with tears. That was Dad. He not only spent his life looking for the truth – he wanted others to do the same and to know for certain that the information they found was completely true. That has been my greatest desire. I want to know the truth – even if it hurts. You can’t build a life on a lie – another one of his statements.
Bad things do happen even when you try your best. Yet, no matter how many times Dad was hurt, he always encouraged me to keep trying and to not let hurts keep me from moving forward. He often said, “No matter what you love at some point in life it will hurt you. Even if you give your love to a dog – it will die and you will be hurt. Yet, never forget Debbie – it’s important to keep loving anyway. A life of bitterness and without love is not a life worth living.”
Now that I’m reading through his massive amount of work, I’m reminded of all the wonderful stories he told, the great people he loved and the richness of his life. He was a brilliant man and had a grasp on life that few people possess. His mind could cut through all the fog of information and land on truth.
I hope I told him enough that his work was valuable especially for today’s world. I hope he knew how important he was to the work of God. Knowing the potential his work had, I want to share that work with you. For all those who knew him and for those who didn’t but need fresh eyes on their faith…..you can find Dad’s sermons and articles on my website God’s House.
I know it will bless you.
Debbie