Thomas P. Crockett “Pop Pop”  lost his battle with pancreatic cancer surrounded by his loving family and some of the kids he thought as his own on Wednesday, January 11, 2017.   During the 4 months of dealing with this awful disease, he battled and fought many setbacks to spend as much time with his family.  

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Margaret “Maggie”, his son Ed (Tammy) Crockett, daughter Denise (Steve) Marvel, grandsons Lance (Lauren) Marvel, Shane (Cassidy) Marvel and Jordan Marvel and his great- granddaughters- brown eye princess Kenzleigh and blue eye princess Kendall, and the one that was like a son- Brice Smart all of Seaford.   Also, his sisters Jeanne and Theresa of Crisfield and Princess Anne, Maryland.   The family doesn’t stop there- he leaves behind many kids and grandkids that he treated as his own.   The list is long and those that could- made his last days so very special for everyone with visits of laughs, handshakes, hugs and kisses. 

Tom grew up in Crisfield and graduated from Crisfield High School in 1966 and was a standout soccer and basketball player.   He has many cherished memories with his buddies:  Muggsy, Manzy, Chalky and Sterling.    They were a special group of friends that were able to reconnect and pick up where they left off.     Tom retired from DuPont in Seaford after 36 years of service and realized he just wasn’t ready for retirement and worked for the State of Delaware- Division of Soil and Water Conservation as a Planner for 11 years.   For the past three years, he helped at his grandson’s produce stand- Marvelous Produce in Seaford.

He coached his son in Little League Football and Nanticoke Little League.   He was an avid Phillies fan and spent many Sundays at the Vet.   He was also a past member of Blades and Seaford Volunteer Fire Departments.   In his younger years, he played softball and basketball in various leagues and pick-up games.   His hobbies were deer hunting and his family.

He created many special friendships through the years but none greater than those with the kids that played sports with his children and grandsons and worked with him at the produce stand.   He was Pop-Pop to everyone.   Tom’s greatest joys was watching his children and grandsons play sports.  He rarely missed a game- regardless of where it was.  Many vacations and weekends were spent watching them play and making lasting friendships with many.    He was known to step in a time or two as a coach to his “boys”.   His smile and hugs reached many.  The last couple of years, he found his next greatest hobby- his princesses and nothing more special than having lunch at “Donald’s”.   He could also be found Monday- Friday at his coffee breaks at the Dairy Bar in Seaford with his firemen friends trying to solve a many a problem.  

In Tom’s style and way, he made many friends during his cancer battle.   We would be remiss in not thanking Nanticoke Cancer Care, Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, Seaford Volunteer Fire Department, and Compassionate Care Hospice.  We would like to especially thank Brittany Becker of Nanticoke’s ICU, Kelly Hovatter, RN with Compassionate Care in providing him just the extra special care during his last days.    There is one more special person in his life, who spent many a day visiting at the hospital and when he was having treatments and that is Al Melson, Tom’s best friend.

His wish is not for flowers but donations for a scholarship fund to be used in his memory.   He would like for a Sussex Tech student athlete to do what he could not and that is to further their education.   He wishes for everyone to set aside their view and realize that this is for and about the kids.   Please make donations in his memory to Vocational Education Foundation in the memo line:  Tom Crockett Memorial.   Mail to:  Denise Marvel 24200 Shufelt Road Seaford, DE 19973.    His last wish is for everyone to take time and watch a kid’s game, there is no greater joy then seeing a kid make a great tackle, catch, shot, kick, pitch or hit.  It will make you smile and that Tom did.

Funeral Services will be on Sunday, January 15th at 2 PM at St. John’s United Methodist Church, Pine & Poplars Sts, Seaford.  Friends may call at the Cranston Funeral Home, 300 N. Shipley St, Seaford on Saturday evening from 6 to 8 PM and at the church on Sunday from 1 to 2.  Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery. 

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