Obituary: Davy Joseph Crockett (Aug. 17, 1930 – Feb. 26, 2012)

Davy Joseph Crockett passed away on Sunday, February 26, 2012, from complications related to cancer. He was 81. Davy was born on August 17, 1930, in Charlie Jenson’s house in Denmark, Ore., (near Langlois). He attended primary school in Harbor, Ore., and then Brookings-Harbor High School.

Davy Crockett was in the United States Army Infantry from 1952-1954. He served in the Korean Conflict as a corporal in the Honor Guard, receiving the Bronze Star, National Defense Medal, Presidential Citation and United Nations Medal. Davy then served in the Army Reserves until 1960.

 In 1955 Davy Crockett followed his passion of hard work, ranching and timber management. He bought the 160 acre Everett Woodruff Farm and established the Crockett Ranch in Smith River. The original 160-acre dairy farm prospered and expanded to over 1,000 acres of beef, dairy, gravel mining and lily production. Davy also owned and managed over 500 acres of homestead timber land along the Winchuck River in southern Curry County.

 On July 28, 1956, Davy married the love of his life, Joyce Baldwin in the Baptist Church in Brookings, Ore. Together, Davy and Joyce laughed, cried and persevered through the many tumultuous adventures of raising five children, ranching and managing a private resource business. From the 1964 flood that devastated the ranch; the federal regulations that eliminated most gravel mining on the Smith River; to the Hollywood-funded environmental interests’ attempts to shut down the lily industry; together Davy and Joyce lived the success story of rugged individualism, the backbone of America.

 Davy Crockett is survived by his wife of 55 ½ years, Joyce; his children – Elizabeth Crockett, Crescent City; Donnie Crockett, Smith River; Linda Crockett, Smith River; Becky Crockett (husband Jim Grossman), Portland, Ore.; and Margaret Crockett, Portland, Ore. His brother Vernon Crockett, Coquille, Ore.; sister Carole Crockett, Harbor, Ore.; brother-in-law David Baldwin (wife Karen). His grandchildren – David Veilleux, Cindy Hogan (husband Brett), Victoria Crockett, Leilani Crockett, Lily Crockett, Andrew Grossman Crockett, Jacob Grossman Crockett, Mahlanya Crockett and Nadianna Crockett. His great-grandchildren – Brittany Hogan, Benjamin Hogan and Jadyn Allen.

 A celebration of Davy Crockett’s life is planned for Saturday, March 3, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the Crescent City Foursquare Church. Donations in honor of Davy Crockett can be made to Del Norte County Historical Society 577 “H” Street, Crescent City, CA 95531.

— Submitted by Family