HERMAN GREEN CROOM
March 2, 1936-Jan. 29, 2012
PIKEVILLE -- Herman Green Croom Jr., 75, Pikeville, passed away Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012, after a long, hard-fought battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family at the time of his death.
Mr. Croom was born March 2, 1936, in Greene County to the late Herman Croom Sr. and Mattie Edwards Croom.
Mr. Croom served as an educator and administrator for more than 30 years. His passion was teaching vocational agriculture ,which he did at Pikeville, Princeton, Rosewood and Charles B. Aycock high schools.
He was an outstanding FFA advisor, leading several teams to state and national competitions.
Herman was a member of the North Carolina Vocational Agricultural Teachers Association.
He was inducted into the Charles B. Aycock High School Hall of Fame and also into the Wayne County Agricultural Hall of Fame.
He operated a family greenhouse business, Da-Ed-Ka Plant Farm, as well as managed the family farming operation for many years. He was also owner of B and C Auto Sales of Pikeville.
Herman was a man of faith, and a longtime member of Pleasant Grove Original Free Will Baptist Church. He taught Sunday school and served as a deacon. He was also a member of Gideon's International.
He is survived by his dedicated wife of 50 years, Leigh Ann Croom; his sons, David Croom and wife, Beth Croom, of Pikeville and Edward Croom and wife, Phyllis Croom, of Kenly; his daughter, Kathryn Farrior and husband, Buck Farrior, of Pikeville; a sister, Emily Lou Jones and husband, Julian Jones, of Maury; his stepmother, Margaret Cunningham Croom of Ayden; a stepsister, Janice White and husband, Ronald White, of Salvo; and a stepbrother, Gene Edwards and wife, Trish Edwards, of Beaufort.
He is also survived by six grandchildren, who were the apple of his eye, Philip Croom, Carrie Croom, Casey Croom, Jonathan Croom, Jaclyn Farrior and Alan Farrior; two nieces; and four nephews.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, Jan. 31, at 6 p.m. at Pleasant Grove Free Will Baptist Church, with the Rev. Barry Stallings officiating. Burial will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Pikeville Cemetery.
The family will receive friends following the service at the church, and at other times at the home.
Mr. Croom was passionate about the advancement of cancer research. In lieu of flowers, Mr. Croom requested that all memorials be made to Duke Cancer Institute for Dr. Jon Gockerman, DUMC-3828, Durham, N.C., 27710.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneral home.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on January 31, 2012 1:48 PM