James "Homer" Croft

James Leon "Homer" Croft was born on March 24, 1943, to William "Bill" and Flossie (Blankenship) Croft, in Chouteau, Oklahoma; where he attended school and graduated from Chouteau High School in 1961. A few years later, Homer married Dian Boyd at the First Church of God in Pryor, on December 24, 1964.
Homer served in the United States Army and was deployed to Vietnam from 1965 to 1966. Homer attended Claremore Junior College in 1971 and 1972. He then attended Northeastern State College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1974.
Following college, Homer became a principal and teacher at Gregory School. He then served as a teacher in Mazie, before becoming a teacher, coach and bus driver for Chouteau schools. Homer enjoyed watching football and basketball games (especially when his sons or grandchildren were playing).
Homer Croft departed this life on December 27, 2025, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, at the age of 82.
He is survived by his wife, Dian; sons: Jim and Becky Croft of Tulsa, and Danny and Ashley Croft of Chouteau; grandchildren: Kelsie and Noe Gonzalez of Lamesa, Texas, Averi Croft of Chouteau, Tyler Cotrone of Norman, and Logan Dotson of Claremore; two great-grandchildren: Morgan and Kade Gonzalez of Texas; one sister, Linda Moon of Pryor; one brother, Forrest Croft of California; as well as many other family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Flossie Croft; sisters: Willie Mae Wishard, Jane Meyer, Tommie Taylor, Wilma Lynch, and Sue Atchley; brothers-in-law: Riley Wishard, Larry Myer, Charles Taylor, Dick Lynch, Bill Moon and Jerry Atchley.