Randolph Crockett

Retired Lt. Col. Randolph Crockett, age 95, of Satellite Beach, passed away peacefully, Thursday, November 26, 2009 at William Childs Hospice House in Palm Bay. He was born in Headland, AL, to Grady and Vea (Hardy) Crockett. He graduated from Columbia High School and served in the United States Army Airborne during WWII serving as an officer in several units including the 11th Airborne Division which played a vital role in the successful Knollwood Maneuver to determine the viability of large-scale American airborne formations. He also saw action at the Battle of the Bulge and served in Korea. Subsequently, he was reassigned to the United States Air Force where he rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel. Lt. Col. Crockett retired from the Air Force in 1957 and moved to Satellite Beach, FL, where he served as a Security Chief and Supervisory Security Specialist with Patrick Air Force Base. Mr. Crockett retired from Federal Service in 1980. In total (as he would proudly state), he served over 47 years under the American flag. He was a member of Post 4643 of The Veterans of Foreign Wars and Post 200 of The American Legion in Satellite Beach. He was also a Mason for over 50 years. "Dad enjoyed fishing and dominoes and was well known for his expertise in Redfish and Shellcracker angling. He also enjoyed meeting and sharing life stories with everyone he met. He always told a good story and was a gentleman. He will be missed greatly by his family and everyone who knew him." He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Eleanor (Culbreth) Crockett; sons, David and Randall Crockett; daughters, Rebecca Ray, Rita Crockett, and Ramona Manuel; one brother, Wayne Crockett; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Randolph was preceded in death by his son, Larry Crockett. A gathering of family and friends will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2010, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., followed by a memorial service with Military Honors at 2:00 p.m. at Beach Funeral Home in Indian Harbour Beach.