Obituary for Michael K. Crocker
Michael K. Crocker
June 6, 1946 — July 26, 2022
Monmouth – Michael K. Crocker, 76, of Ojai, California and Monmouth, Maine passed away Tuesday, July 26th in Monmouth. A devoted family man with a zest for all-out living, Mike passed away swiftly and without fear, surrounded by family at home on the shore of Cochnewagon Lake in Monmouth, Maine. Throughout his sixteen-month battle with pancreatic cancer, Mike gave it hell to the very end.
Mike was born in Augusta, Maine and raised nearby in the town of Monmouth. From the beginning, he was an instigator and by all accounts, a handful. He was full of vigor and incredibly strong-willed. As a child, he was often in trouble, and he developed a fondness for bending the rules. At the time, no one knew he struggled with undiagnosed learning deficits. He was highly skilled at working with his hands, particularly on mechanical things. His greatest talent was storytelling, which, coupled with an unparalleled determination, enabled him to succeed.
At eighteen, Mike set out to see the world and make a name for himself. He joined the Navy during the Vietnam War as a machinist, and after his tour, was discharged in Long Beach, California where he met his first wife, Marilyn Olsen. Together they moved to Ventura County and had a daughter, divorcing shortly after. It was then that Mike made the leap from working odd jobs to selling jewelry. He quickly discovered that he was a gifted salesman and resolved to sell big things which led him into commercial real estate and investing. Mike remarried, to Cheverne Case, and had a son, settling in Ventura. He worked for several real estate offices before opening his own brokerage. He served on the Maine Manufactured Housing Board and owned several land-leased communities in Maine, taking pride in providing people with affordable, safe communities where they could own their homes. He won many awards for top sales and developments and had a prolific 40-plus year career doing what he loved.
An exceptionally strong athlete, Mike had a passion for long-distance road biking and cross-country motorcycle adventures. He was a proud member of the Iron Butt Association and, in his seventies, completed four 1,000-mile Iron Butt rides including the Coast-to-Coast ride from San Diego, CA to Jacksonville, FL in thirty-nine hours.
Mike loved cars, particularly classic and sports cars. He built a ’51 Chevy from scratch with parts acquired at swap meets and vintage parts catalogs. He also loved April Fools’ Day and practical jokes. He once secretly took out an ad for a garage sale using his friend’s address. “Early birds welcome. Everything must go.” His friend awoke to people banging on the door, trying to load up the lawn furniture.
Mike relished a good fixer-upper — be it cars, people or homes. His most cherished project was refurbishing an old camp on Cochnewagon Lake in his hometown. Camp Crocker became the catalyst that held his family together, and the place to gather and enjoy each other. Although he had three marriages that didn’t last, the wonderful home he created for his family at camp endured.
A stubborn romantic, Mike never gave up on love, and in 2009 met his soulmate, Bonnie Sessions. Together they made their home in Ojai and camp, enjoying road biking, motorcycle trips, hiking and time with family, particularly their four grandchildren. He often said he’d never been loved like he was by Bonnie. Their love for each other remains an inspiration.
Mike threw himself into the game of life and won. He will be remembered for his tremendous wit, charisma, loyalty and fortitude. He was preceded in death by his mother, Helen “Betty” Crocker, father, Forrest Crocker, sister, Meredith Smith, and brother, Daniel Crocker. He is survived by his beloved wife, Bonnie Sessions, daughter, Bridget Crocker and son-in-law, John Regan, son, Jeffrey Crocker and daughter-in-law, Tierra Crocker, grandchildren, Molly and Sadie Regan and Koen and Ellaurie Crocker, sister Betsy Foote, brother, Phillip Crocker and sister-in-law, Carol Crocker, niece Julie Crocker-Beaulieu, and large extended family. Messages of condolence may be sent to: www.finleyfuneralhome.com
Crocker – Michael K., 76, of Ojai, CA and Monmouth, Maine, passed away Tuesday, July 26, 2022 in Monmouth, Maine. Two celebrations of life are planned: 2:30-5pm on Sunday, August 28th at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Road, Ventura, CA; and 12-3pm Saturday, October 1st at Camp Crocker, 21 North Shore Drive, Monmouth, ME. Arrangements by BRAGDON~FINLEY FUNERAL HOME, 707 Main Street, Monmouth, Maine.
June 6, 1946 — July 26, 2022
Monmouth – Michael K. Crocker, 76, of Ojai, California and Monmouth, Maine passed away Tuesday, July 26th in Monmouth. A devoted family man with a zest for all-out living, Mike passed away swiftly and without fear, surrounded by family at home on the shore of Cochnewagon Lake in Monmouth, Maine. Throughout his sixteen-month battle with pancreatic cancer, Mike gave it hell to the very end.
Mike was born in Augusta, Maine and raised nearby in the town of Monmouth. From the beginning, he was an instigator and by all accounts, a handful. He was full of vigor and incredibly strong-willed. As a child, he was often in trouble, and he developed a fondness for bending the rules. At the time, no one knew he struggled with undiagnosed learning deficits. He was highly skilled at working with his hands, particularly on mechanical things. His greatest talent was storytelling, which, coupled with an unparalleled determination, enabled him to succeed.
At eighteen, Mike set out to see the world and make a name for himself. He joined the Navy during the Vietnam War as a machinist, and after his tour, was discharged in Long Beach, California where he met his first wife, Marilyn Olsen. Together they moved to Ventura County and had a daughter, divorcing shortly after. It was then that Mike made the leap from working odd jobs to selling jewelry. He quickly discovered that he was a gifted salesman and resolved to sell big things which led him into commercial real estate and investing. Mike remarried, to Cheverne Case, and had a son, settling in Ventura. He worked for several real estate offices before opening his own brokerage. He served on the Maine Manufactured Housing Board and owned several land-leased communities in Maine, taking pride in providing people with affordable, safe communities where they could own their homes. He won many awards for top sales and developments and had a prolific 40-plus year career doing what he loved.
An exceptionally strong athlete, Mike had a passion for long-distance road biking and cross-country motorcycle adventures. He was a proud member of the Iron Butt Association and, in his seventies, completed four 1,000-mile Iron Butt rides including the Coast-to-Coast ride from San Diego, CA to Jacksonville, FL in thirty-nine hours.
Mike loved cars, particularly classic and sports cars. He built a ’51 Chevy from scratch with parts acquired at swap meets and vintage parts catalogs. He also loved April Fools’ Day and practical jokes. He once secretly took out an ad for a garage sale using his friend’s address. “Early birds welcome. Everything must go.” His friend awoke to people banging on the door, trying to load up the lawn furniture.
Mike relished a good fixer-upper — be it cars, people or homes. His most cherished project was refurbishing an old camp on Cochnewagon Lake in his hometown. Camp Crocker became the catalyst that held his family together, and the place to gather and enjoy each other. Although he had three marriages that didn’t last, the wonderful home he created for his family at camp endured.
A stubborn romantic, Mike never gave up on love, and in 2009 met his soulmate, Bonnie Sessions. Together they made their home in Ojai and camp, enjoying road biking, motorcycle trips, hiking and time with family, particularly their four grandchildren. He often said he’d never been loved like he was by Bonnie. Their love for each other remains an inspiration.
Mike threw himself into the game of life and won. He will be remembered for his tremendous wit, charisma, loyalty and fortitude. He was preceded in death by his mother, Helen “Betty” Crocker, father, Forrest Crocker, sister, Meredith Smith, and brother, Daniel Crocker. He is survived by his beloved wife, Bonnie Sessions, daughter, Bridget Crocker and son-in-law, John Regan, son, Jeffrey Crocker and daughter-in-law, Tierra Crocker, grandchildren, Molly and Sadie Regan and Koen and Ellaurie Crocker, sister Betsy Foote, brother, Phillip Crocker and sister-in-law, Carol Crocker, niece Julie Crocker-Beaulieu, and large extended family. Messages of condolence may be sent to: www.finleyfuneralhome.com
Crocker – Michael K., 76, of Ojai, CA and Monmouth, Maine, passed away Tuesday, July 26, 2022 in Monmouth, Maine. Two celebrations of life are planned: 2:30-5pm on Sunday, August 28th at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Road, Ventura, CA; and 12-3pm Saturday, October 1st at Camp Crocker, 21 North Shore Drive, Monmouth, ME. Arrangements by BRAGDON~FINLEY FUNERAL HOME, 707 Main Street, Monmouth, Maine.