LEWISTON – Erwin Emerson Crocker, 86, died Sunday, Nov. 7, after a brief illness.

Born in Lewiston, Jan. 10, 1918, to Alvah and Angerona Welch Crocker, he was most recently a resident of Montello Heights and was formerly a long-time resident of Lewiston.

He attended Auburn schools, Edward Little High School and enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1940. He was deployed to Kaneohe, Hawaii in 1941, wounded at Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941, awarded a Purple Heart and received an honorable medical discharge on Oct. 2, 1943.

He worked for Auburn Airport Fire and Rescue, drove Maine Central buses and then was employed by the United States Postal Service as a rural mail carrier for 27 years, until his retirement in 1972. He married Dorothy Eveleth of Auburn in 1944.

He was a commander of the American Legion and the Auburn Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). He retired as a lieutenant colonel of the CAP and was recognized for 50 years of CAP service. He earned his pilot’s license, enjoyed flying, woodworking and two-way radio technology. He was also the proud owner of over 60 automobiles during his lifetime, beginning with the Model A Ford, for which he traded in his bicycle.

He is survived by daughter, Eileen Johnston and husband, Jerry, of Minot; son, Bruce Crocker and wife, Paula, of Phoenix, Ariz.; and son, Scott Crocker and wife, Susan, of Lewiston; grandchildren include Bethany Bradshaw, Becky Lekan, Sarah Francis, Ryan Crocker and Jennifer Crocker; and five great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by wife, Dorothy on Jan. 24, 2003, brother, Irving, and sister, Dorothy.

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