Edgar Dallas Crooks III

Edgar “Ed” died at the Grand Junction VA Medical Center after several years of poor health. Edgar is predeceased by his father, Edgar Dallas Crooks II; mother, Elba Ira Bea Hansen; brother, Louis William Crooks; and two previous wives.

Husband, father, grandfather, and brother, Edgar D. Crooks III had a life of travel, mining and prospecting, military service, education, teaching, business consulting and ownership, fishing, hunting, and always learning and advising others. He married Patricia Ann Faulk Carney July 13, 2002 in Grand Junction. He is survived by Patricia; one previous wife; three sons; two daughters; four grandchildren; sister-in-law, Jane Crooks; stepdaughter, Jennifer Carney; a niece; two nephews; and many cousins.

As an army brat, he moved from base to base, including living in post WWII Germany, and graduating high school in Rome, Italy. After one year of college in Missouri, he spent a semester at West Point Military Academy. He then returned to Missouri School of Mines to finish a Bachelor’s Degree in Geology. He worked as a miner in Leadville, CO, prospecting and fishing on his days off. He returned to Missouri prior to joining the USAF in 1964. He spent several years at Hurlburt Field, FL as an Air Commando before transferring to US Army and duty as a Commanding Officer in Vietnam. Upon returning to the USA, he worked on a special assignment at the Pentagon. After retirement from the US Army, he moved to Southern California where he returned to college and completed another BA, two Masters Degrees and a PhD except for dissertation. He taught at the college level while getting advanced degrees, and in the California prison system. He and his third wife, Sharon, and youngest two children moved to Meeker, CO around 1994. After misfortune and his third divorce, he relocated to Grand Junction in 2001.

He was a member of many churches during his travels, currently he was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Grand Junction. In Meeker, he was an active member of the Methodist church, Lion’s Club, Methodist’s Men’s Club, Masonic Lodge # 80 and, Meeker Sportsman’s Club. In Grand Junction, he joined Mesa Lodge #55 and Scottish Rite in 2002, Orchard Mesa Gun Club, Military Officers of America Association, Ararat Shriners Temple, Kansas City, MO in 2001 and was affiliated with El Jebel Shrine, Denver, CO. For a short time, he was a member of the Gem and Mineral Club. He was a long time member of NRA, VFW, and American Legion.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, rock hunting, reloading ammunition, target shooting, and traveling until his health prevented his participation. He was affiliated with Boy Scouts of America for over 50 years, achieving the Order of the Arrow Award. He continued his lifelong hobby of reading all genres including politics, economics, archeology, history, fiction and classics.

A memorial service will be held at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 237 32 Road, Grand Junction, on July 13, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. with Masonic Traditional honors. The service will be followed by a brief reception. The interment will be at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2830 Riverside Parkway, at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Shriners Children’s Hospitals in memory of Edgar.

@ https://www.eljebelshrine.org/ by clicking on the "Donate" tab, or by telephone at (844) 739-0849

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MartinMortuary.com for the Crooks III family.