Paul Atkins Crook

Obituary For Paul Atkins Crook

Paul Atkins Crook of West Point, Georgia, passed away at age 93 at his home on September 3, after a period of failing health. Paul was the son of Loy Lester and Ellen Mae Wagner Holmes Crook. At his mother’s passing when Paul was three years old, he was then raised by his stepmother, Mil Crook. Paul is survived by three sons: Mike Crook of West Point and David and Scott Crook of College Park, Georgia. Paul was preceded in death by his beloved wives Ruth Hood Crook and Jeanette Bishop Crook.

Born December 7, 1931 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Paul grew up mostly in Sarasota, Florida where his father managed the city’s bus system. On his 10th birthday, Paul returned from fishing a nearby river to hear of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Not old enough to fight in World War II, he later enlisted in the army and spent his 19th birthday in Korea. Shortly after this birthday, Paul, a tank commander in the Korean War, fought in the push toward the Yalu River in North Korea and in the Battle of Kunu-re, two of America’s highest casualty encounters.

After leaving the Army, Paul stayed in the Columbus area. In 1954, he met and married Naomi Ruth Hood from LaGrange, Georgia, and together they began raising a family of three boys. In 1966, Paul moved his family to West Point where he joined the police department.

After nine years on West Point’s police force, Paul served as the city’s Superintendent of the Street Department for 30 years until his retirement in 2005. During this time, he took great pride overseeing some of the least glamorous, but most crucial jobs around town involving sanitation and street maintenance. In doing so, he developed a great deal of respect for the men who did these underappreciated jobs.

Paul and his dear wife Jeanette enjoyed traveling, tracing history, reconnecting with long-lost family members in Georgia and Pennsylvania, and adopting the luckiest kitties in West Point. They toured throughout the East Coast, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. However, perhaps their favorite place to visit was Florida's Gulf Coast. There Paul collected nautical items to decorate his yard and pool area while Jeanette enjoyed the casinos.

Around West Point, Paul was known for his dependability, his ingenuity, and his craftsmanship. People throughout the area have many items in their homes that Paul designed and built in his woodworking shop.

Paul Atkins Crook lived a life filled with pride–pride in his service to the United States, pride in his service to West Point, pride in his reputation for dependability and craftsmanship, and pride in his family.

The Crook sons express their sincere appreciation to the EMT and Fire Department service of West Point and the entire staff of the EAMC-Lanier Rural Emergency Hospital.

Finally, Paul’s boys give special thanks to Ms. Annie Holloway for the love, care, and companionship she provided their father during the past year.

Paul requested a simple, informal graveside service. In honor of his wishes, the interment will take place in West Point’s Marseilles Cemetery, 400 E. 12th Street, on Sunday, September 7 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time.

In lieu of flowers, Paul’s sons suggest a donation either to Saint John’s Episcopal Church of West Point or to the West Point Fire and Rescue Department.

The staff at Valley-Point Funeral Home & Cremation is honored to serve the Family of Paul Atkins Crook.

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Services

Graveside Service

Sep

7

Marseilles Cemetery

400-498 E 12th St
West Point, GA 31833

2:00 PM

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