Joe Crockett has passed away

vernezorn · Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 12:44 pm Post subject:

Joe was an old "Nam" buddy of mine. We traded many stories and eventually talked VW's. About 10 years ago, he restored a 63 SC and was presently doing my old blue and white 67 DC. Am assuming he was about 1/4 percent done.
RIP old friend. You will be greatly missed.

Note: Anybody interested in finishing the restoration?
[email protected]

Bill Guthrie · Samba Member Joined: April 16, 2004 Posts: 10

sorry to hear of Joe's passing...He was a friend, neighbor and one of a kind. Although I did not know him well the time we spent together was always interesting.

RIP Joe..

bg

Ivan Fuller · Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 12:03 am Post subject:

So sad to hear this.

I first met Joe at Bad Camberg years ago. He was one of the first up in the morning waiting for the action to start. He has been a friend ever since. Such an easy going knowledgeable guy that helped out so many people.
RIP Joe.

LHG · Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 8:54 am Post subject:

Joe was a regular at all of our Central Coast VW Club events. He always dug something out of his stash to donate to our raffles and was generous with his time and knowledge. He will be missed. R.I.P.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
Brian O'Kelly
Central Coast Chapter, CA - Vintage Volkswagen Club of America
www.centralcoastvwclub.com
www.facebook.com/groups/vintagevwclub/

dblatherwick · Samba Member Joined: September 08, 2013 Posts: 1

Joe was one of my closest friends. In the Volkswagen community most of you don't know me by name. Those of you who do know me, I am sure you are feeling the same way as I do. I urge all of you who knew Joe to tell the people you give a crap about, that you give a crap about them. I've had to many friends go before I could tell them that. My dad was one of them and I will regret it till I die. I just wanted to say that Joe in many ways took on the roll of Dad to us younger guys. He had an absolute passion for the Volkswagen and he wouldn't share that passion or the immense amount of information if he didn't like you. It took him years to acquire that stuff from various people that were into these cars before I was even born. That knowledge can never be retrieved. Joe told me he liked me enough to be able to pass that information on to me and others because I share that same passion that he did. We were supposed to write it down. I will never get the chance to tell Joe how much I gave a crap about him or have another discussion on part numbers after dinner. I miss my friend. Until we meet again brother. I love you and hurts so much writing this but I'm glad I had the honor to meet such a truly good man that wanted his knowledge to be passed on so we could preserve the integrity of these cars. You will be missed and l will do my best to pass on what I have learned to all our friends that give a crap.

mrldiz · Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 7:42 am Post subject: Joseph McLain Crockett Obituary

12/26/1948 - 8/28/2013
"God's Volkswagen must have broken down, and he needed Joe to fix it!"
In any event, we lost one of His special angels on Wednesday, August 28, 2013. Vietnam veteran, Volkswagen historian and enthusiast, mentor to many, a true friend indeed, Joe's quiet passing leaves a large hole in many hearts...
Service details and a celebration of life are pending arrangements by his family and friends.

Published in The Santa Barbara News-Press from September 5 to September 9, 2013

mrldiz · Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 9:34 am Post subject: Sgt. Joseph M. Crockett, Jr.

This photo was taken August 11, 2013 at the Airhead Parts/KGPR Hwy 1 Treffen 15 at Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard, CA.
A memorial for Joe is in the process of being planned for the end of September. The time and date will be posted here as soon as details are finalized. Joe is survived by a son, who resides in OR and three sisters. Two in OR and one in FL. He was preceded in death by his parents who are buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Joe's final resting place will be in Arlington National Cemetery with his parents.

I have been attempting to organize a history of Joe's involvement in the VW community for his memorial. This has been challenging. He was active in the Vintage VW Club, Pres. of the West Coast Chapter, wrote for Hot VWs for a time, etc. I wish VW records were as organized as the militaries...anything anyone could contribute (dates, photos, stories) to help this process would be greatly appreciated.

Joe had several articles published about him and The Outcasts. Joe took great pride in having served his country and he had an enduring concern for those Vietnam Veterans who returned home mentally scarred to face a life less fortunate than his own. This was reflected in his commitment and service as president of the Santa Barbarbara Chapter, Vietnam Veterans of America. I am sharing this story from the Army News April 1969 because I realize many of us who knew Joe would be interested to learn this about our dear friend.

Sgt. Crockett Honored for Gallantry in Vietnam

It's a long way from Southern California's surfing paradise at Redondo Beach to the rice paddies, mountains and savage terrain of Vietnam, but this was the travel route for Joseph M. Crockett, Jr. in 1967.

Shortly after graduation from Palos Verdes High School, this young man enlisted in the U.S. Army on October 22, 1966 and was assigned to Fort Ord, California for basic training. Helicopter Maintenance School at Fort Rucker, Alabama followed and he was subsequently stationed at Fort Eustice, Virginia awaiting orders for an overseas assignment.

In September 1966 he was assigned to combat duty in Vietnam with Troop D (Air), 1st Battalion, 4th Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division. The Big Red One.
With the rank of Sergeant E-5, Technical Specialist, he was crew chief and gunner on a Huey gunship stationed near the village of Phu Loi. The Bell helicopters were known as "hogs" to the troops and they were flexed with machine guns and underslung with pods of rockets and 40 mm grenades. A leading military analyst of the time described the choppers as "having the most hellish firepower ever assembled on so small a machine."

On April 17, 1968 on a night mission over a U.S. Army outpost near Quan Loi that was being overrun by North Vietnam regulars, Sgt. Crockett's aircraft was shot down. Heavy 51 caliber machine gun fire at low level hit the helicopter's rocket pod immediately below his gunner's seat. The resultant explosion peppered both of Sgt. Crockett's legs with shrapnel.

With hydraulic lines severed the aircraft went down. There were no fatalities, however, the crew was rescued by another helicopter that was participating in the same mission. This, only after the crew had made their way to a clearing large enough for the second aircraft to land and pick them up.

After spending a week in a Medical Evacuation Hospital in Saigon, Sgt. Crockett returned to his unit to resume his crew chief and door gunner responsibilities.

Sgt. Crockett served two tours of duty - 20 months - in Vietnam. For his distinguished service against the enemy, marked courage in combat, and his heroism he was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, the Air Medal with 23 clusters for flying more than 2,400 combat tours, the Purple Heart, The Republic of Service and Campaign Medals, Presidential Unit and Meritorious Unit Citations, and the National Defense Service Medal.

This is a tribute to an American patriot whose forefathers fought for the ideals of liberty and freedom in the Revolutionary War, Civil War , and World Wars I and II.

Epilogue "The United States fighting men, had they been free from restrictions and properly supported, could have achieved victory in Vietnam." George William C. Westmoreland

Hacksaw-BoB · Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 3:07 pm Post subject:

Sorry to hear of Joe's passing . . .

I can remember meeting him in the 1970s when the Vintage VW scene was getting started in So. Cal.

Had some good times Joe !!

Nice seeing you at the 2012 Classic Collectible and you having a table next to me and swapping some stories.

May you rest in peace !!

_________________
Hacksaw BoB Very Happy

http://www.VintageVolkswagenModels.com

Collector of Vintage VW Toys

BoB's Restor-Version Shop

53 0val · Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 10:27 pm Post subject:

I remember Joe helping me with several busses over the years. When I got my oval, Joe said I had finally crossed over to "the dark side".. and he never let me live it down. I'll miss his quiet humor. The truth was; he was a very funny guy and always saw the lighter side of things. He was a wonderful person who will be be missed by many of us. RIP friend.
_________________
"What a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away." Dobee, Dobee, Do

mrldiz · Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 7:50 am Post subject: Joseph McClain Crockett Memorial

Joseph McClain Crockett Memorial Celebration of Life

Sunday, October 6th, 2013, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Tucker’s Grove, Site 2, Santa Barbara , CA

From Highway 101 take Turnpike Road north across Cathedral Oaks Road. The park entrance is straight ahead. http://www.countyofsb.org/parks/parks02.aspx?id=8110

Please join us at the Celebration of Life planned for Joe to honor and celebrate his life with family and friends in a beautiful park setting near his former home. BBQ trip-tip, chicken, and paper-goods will be provided, and all attendees are encouraged to bring side dishes and desserts to share – bring your own beverages, and alcohol is allowed in the park. Family and friends are invited to gather and share stories and memories of Joe.Attendees are encouraged to bring pictures and memorabilia to share at the gathering.

A Cruise has been organized to the Memorial:

From the South: Meet in Ventura @11:30 from the Arbys on Main St. 3559 East Main St., Ventura, CA Leave at Noon.

From the North: Start in San Luis Obispo at Starbucks on Madonna Rd. Leave 11am.
Next stop, McDonalds in Santa Maria on Stowell Rd 11:45am Leave at Noon

overrestored · Samba Member Joined: December 24, 2005 Posts: 726

bump
_________________
some cars
some bicycles
some old skateboards
One cool crazy cat
a yard full of fruit trees
26 chairs for some reason
a crapload of old shoes
a lot of books on history of the Mexican Ranchos
200+ kamax bolts... stacked in rows

mrvwaccessory · Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 6:15 am Post subject:

This is so sad. My heart is so broken. He is a great guy and always find time to talk with me because I am deaf. I used to buy cool parts from him and sometime he would just give parts to me. He is a guy with a big heart. I also love his yellow lab that died two years ago and his new lab too. When I attend to a VW show, I would always come up to him and play with his yellow lab. Boy this just breaks my heart knowing he is not around. Joe, you are missed but you are reunited with your family and pets! <3 you Joe!
_________________
1965 EZ Camper (show)
1967 Westfalia Utility Trailer
1998 Bayliner Ciera 2858 Boat

Dave · Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 9:25 am Post subject:

bob1 · Samba Member Joined: December 06, 2000 Posts: 45

2013 is just sucking, as all the great guys that had to go before Joe where not enough... now this...

I had lunch with Joe last time late May or early June, on my way up to the Sacramento Bug O Rama, it was cool as ever and we had a great time....

Can never forget how Joe walked the first time in my shop, now about 10 years ago, and how fast we became real friends because our hearts been feeded by an equal passion...

every time driving North to South in California I would stop by in Santa Barbara, for a "coffee in the garden" a breakfast, a lunch or a dinner, or a sleep over... too many good talks, to many adventures digging out "stuff" or just reading through his VW archive for hours....

I will always miss You Joe, may You Rest in Peace.

highdesertdeluxe · Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2013 1:02 pm Post subject:

Like countless others, Joe gladly helped me, a complete stranger, with info on my VW and even sent me some parts from his private stash in the mail that I had been searching for in vain. This is sad news for the VW community and he'll be sorely missed. He was a true asset to our hobby. Thanks again Joe.
_________________
Palmdale transplant
Looking for local splitty owners
VW ironworm farmer

LHG · Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2013 2:43 pm Post subject:

I'm putting this in the window of my car for the cruise tomorrow.
Sunday, Oct 6, 2013

_________________
Brian O'Kelly
Central Coast Chapter, CA - Vintage Volkswagen Club of America
www.centralcoastvwclub.com
www.facebook.com/groups/vintagevwclub/

drpete · Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2013 11:43 pm Post subject:

Wish I could be there tomorrow, but have to work. I know it will be a wonderful gathering with many memories of Joe. What a guy...what a life...
_________________
Happy to be alive. Hey Dad, Mom, wish you were here to see all this.

Pete Keesling
Driving a VW every day.....

mrldiz · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 4:18 pm Post subject: Joe Crockett Decal

If you have been unable to attend Joe's memorial or an event to pick up one of these memorial decals for yourself, please private message me your address and I'll see that one gets off to you. Thank you to the sponsor who donated these decals for our community to honor and remember our friend.

overrestored · Samba Member Joined: December 24, 2005 Posts: 726

Just a little bump for Joe. Missing him today. It's been just over two years... I suspect God's VW is fully restored by now... and he and Joe are rolling with the sunroof open.
_________________
some cars
some bicycles
some old skateboards
One cool crazy cat
a yard full of fruit trees
26 chairs for some reason
a crapload of old shoes
a lot of books on history of the Mexican Ranchos
200+ kamax bolts... stacked in rows

bob1 · Samba Member Joined: December 06, 2000 Posts: 45

Maybe Nobody remembers, but i do... Today was Joe's Birthday... and I have to think a lot of him, looking to the steeringwheel he gave me last time I met him for my Birthday, it looks at me, its nice to have something I can feel from him...
Happy Birthday Joe, wherever You are now my friend!

Bob BBT


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