Gilbert “Gil” Doyle Crocker, age 76, passed away at his home in Salina, Ks on September 11th, 2025. Gil was born in Salina, Ks. at Smoky Hill AFB on February 18th, 1949. His parents were Rolland W. “Slim” Crocker and Alma Maude Fry. Gilbert Crocker married Joan Elaine “Jody” Ikenberry in Salina, KS, at the Marymount College chapel, on August 12th, 1972. They just celebrated their 53rd anniversary together.
Gil was a Solomon High graduate, class of 1967. He played some football and basketball for Solomon HS. Gil was a proud union journeyman sheet metal worker (longtime member of local 77). He worked in several towns in Kansas, including at Powell Bros. in Manhattan, Ks. He also traveled and worked in several states during his career. He retired in 2005 at age 56.
As a child and teenager, he loved building engines and stock cars with his dad. He enjoyed riding motorcycles and competing in endurance motorcycle races. He enjoyed fishing, bowling (including for a league a few years in Manhattan), playing penny poker, get-togethers with neighborhood friends, travelling, barbecuing, and gardening. He liked classic cars and pickup trucks. Star Trek, old Westerns, and actor Steve McQueen were among his favorites on film.
He was a fan of NASCAR, Indy, and midget car racing, both on TV and in person. A special trip with his wife was the 2002 Daytona 500, which coincided with his birthday. Gil was a lifelong Kansas City Chiefs fan, as well as a K-State football and basketball fan. He loved music and was a drummer for a short time in his youth. He enjoyed classic oldies (50’s and 60’s music, especially Connie Francis), but also classic country (including Slim Whitman). He had a very large 8 track collection of various types of music. Over the last several years, he was rebuilding his 1956 Ford truck, with help from his son-in-law Steve.
Gilbert’s surviving siblings are Art Crocker, Cindy (Rich) Ingermanson, and Alean (Damon) Gray. After Slim’s 2nd marriage to Patricia McFarland Post, he became part of a blended family with seven more siblings: Becky Tappendick, Cindy Bonnville, Tobey (Bill) Hemmy, Mike (Ray) Hutson-Post, Stacey Martin (David Smith), and Jeff (Jennifer) Crocker. Rolland F. and Amy Crocker, Ray Tappendick, and Penny Post preceded him in death.
Gil is survived by his wife Jody Crocker, daughters Kathryn (Steve) Howton, Karlen M. Crocker, as well as grandsons Kevin Howton, and Colton (Maile) Howton, and his dog, Sparky.
Gil will be remembered for his kindness, never-ending sense of humor, patience, hard work ethic, willingness to help family and friends (the Fix-It Guy), his great pride in his grandsons, but mostly for his everlasting love for Jody, and their family.
There will be no public service, but Gil’s family will have a party in his honor for friends and family on a future date and time (TBA). Memorials can be sent to the American Lung Association, in care of Heier Scott Mortuary and Cremations, 1920 East Crawford Street, Salina, Kansas 67401.
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