James E. Crocker, 79, passed peacefully on Dec. 6, 2014. Jim was born in Suffolk and was a long time resident of Virginia Beach. After graduating from the University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was honorably discharged as a captain. He retired as a senior resident vice president with Merrill Lynch & Company. Active in a number of civic endeavors, he was proud to serve as chairman of the board for Tidewater Health Care and as a board member for Sentara Hospital for many years.

Jim was preceded in death by his son James E. Crocker Jr. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Merrilee Collins Crocker; daughter-in-law, Amphai Crocker and her two children, Robert and Aranya, of Sri Racha, Thailand; a daughter, Leanne C. Tharp, her husband, Lt. Col. Adam C. Tharp, USMC (Ret), and their children Corey, Collin and Mara, of Norfolk.

A service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Virginia Beach at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014.

The family wishes to give special thanks and recognition to the entire staff of Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital for their compassion and wonderful care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice or to the Sentara Healthcare Foundation at 6015 Poplar Hall Drive, Suite 308, Norfolk, VA 23502. R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory, Suffolk is serving the family. Condolences may be registered at www.RWBakerFH.com.