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In memory of

Teddy Croft

Darby, FL, USA

October 1, 1934 - February 15, 2020

Oct 1, 1934 - Feb 15, 2020

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Teddy W. Croft, 85, of Darby, passed away peacefully on February 15, 2020.

Ted was a wonderful loving father, “Poppy” and Grandpa who was deeply loved, will be greatly missed and always cherished. He will be remembered by family and friends for his amazing personality and sense of humor.

Ted was born in Lake Butler, Florida to Ernest and Edith (Alford) Croft on October 1, 1934. He spent his youth in Darby, Florida with his Father and partly in Jacksonville, Florida with his mother. In 1951, at the age of 17, he joined the United States Air Force. He served in both the Korean and Vietnam wars performing air medical evacuations from 1951-1956. The remainder of his service was spent with Strategic Air Command at Barksdale Airforce Base in Louisiana. Ted retired from the United States Air Force as a Master Sargent in 1971 after 20 years of service to his country. While serving in the Air Force Ted met and married his first wife Marjorie Arlene Brooks at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. They were married 19 years, until her death in 1971. They had two children Scott and Lynn.

After retirement from the USAF Ted married Betty (Bush) Croft and became father to her two daughters Deana and Tammy. He returned to Darby, Florida and worked at Evans Packing until its closure. In 1984 he began his career as a bus driver for Pasco County Schools. He was known to the students on his bus as “Otis”. His sense of humor and warm personality quickly made him a favorite among the students he drove and his coworkers. After 12 years, he retired from Pasco County Schools in 1996.

Ted spent his retirement years as a farmer managing Croft Hay Service, growing hay for cows and horses. He took great pride in the hay he produced and was very particular about his field.

Ted was proceeded in death by his parents, first wife Marjorie Brooks Croft, three sisters: Louise Waters, Eloise Connell and Dora (Ernestine) Johnson and brother LeRoy Pearce. He is survived by his wife of 47 years Betty Croft, son Scott ( Donna ) Croft of Princeton, Louisiana, three daughters Deana ( Gregg ) Roberts of Darby, Florida, Tammy ( Andrew ) Hall of Kleen, Texas and Lynn ( Hoy ) Colgin of Haughton, Louisiana, and one sister Cheryl ( Robert ) Guzell of Darby, Florida, 9 grandchildren: Amanda ( Allen ) Burns of Darby, Florida, Zack Roberts of Dade City, Florida, Ashley Hall Hargrave of Copperas Cove, Texas, Andrew Hall of Camp Pedleton, California, Kayla ( Matt ) Tyson of Haughton, Louisiana, Scotty ( Felicia) Croft of Haughton, Louisiana, Stacy (Cody) Berry of Haughton, Louisiana, Courtney Coile of Benton, Louisiana, and Nicole Smart of Benton, Louisiana and 12 great-grandchildren: Alexa, Kayleigh, Macey, Jackson, Austyn, Harper Grace, Sawyer Rose, Lawson, Londyn, Rainer, Durbin, and Landon.

A very special “Thank You” to all the staff at Heritage Park.

Ted will be interred at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida with full military honors Monday, March 9, 2020 at 11:30 am. A gathering for family and friends will follow at the home of Deana and Gregg Roberts at 1:00 pm.

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