WWII veteran-entered service 1941 - Received Diploma 2009

Walter Abram (Abe) Crook, 88, of Sheridan, WY died Wednesday, May 4, 2011, in his Sheridan home.

Abe was born March 9, 1923 to Ivan Boyd Crook and Louis May (Symons) Crook on the FH Ranch, Zeke Weltner Ranch, Lower Prairie Dog Creek. He attended Wakeley School thru 8th grade. He volunteered as an engineer at KWYO and worked at Montgomery Ward while attending Sheridan High School.

He enlisted in the US Army Air Corp on September, 1941 and graduated from flight training in February 1944 and was then assigned to various intelligence gathering projects while serving in the European theater, Norway and Sweden. He served with the 300th Armored Field Artillery National Guard in Korea and then the Air Force Reserve. He was commissioned Brigadier General of the US Air Force Reserve on June 5, 1976 at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. He deployed with the Cowboy Cannoneers as a communications specialist and later attended a number of the 300th Battalion Association reunions.

He was an avid Ham Radio Operator and held a commercial pilots license, logging over 20,000 hours of flight time. He enjoyed traveling to polka fests in his motor coach, fishing and genealogy. He was a member of the Elk’s, Masons, Shrine.

Abe was preceded in death by brother Everet (Pete) Crook and sister Carrie (Floyd) Workman and nephew Russell Workman.

Survivors include daughters, Mary Lou (Pete) Oslund, Driggs, ID and Nancy Ann (Charles) McPhetridge, Bakersfield, CA; two granddaughters, one grandson and two great-grandsons; sister, Dorothy M. Herring, nieces Sandi (Kermit) Ziler, Billie (Richard) Kwallek, Diane (Jim) Archerd; nephews David (Cathy) Workman, Duane (Cheryl) Crook and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Viewing will be from 9:00am until 1:30pm on Monday (May 9th) from Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Graveside service will be 2:00pm on Monday with the Masonic Officers officiating. Interment will be in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery. Military rites are by the American Legion and Wyo. National Guard. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.

Memorials may benefit the Sheridan Senior Citizen’s Center, 211 Smith St., Sheridan.

The Sheridan Press - May 9, 2011.