Lawrence Edward "Ed" Crook, age 92 of Leavenworth, Kansas passed away peacefully at home on June 10, 2025.
Ed was born on a farm at the corner of 10 th and Eisenhower in Leavenworth, Kansas on March 9, 1933 to Sarah Lovina (Flint) Crook and Ira Robert Crook, the youngest of six children. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Kenneth Crook, Gladys Walker, Freida Miller,
Marie Hattock, and Bonnie Ebert. He was also preceded in death by his sons Richard Crook, Jeffrey Whalen, Joseph Whalen, a daughter, Jayne (Whalen) Edmonds, son-in-law Kenneth Dugger and very recently his precious wife of 54 years, Patricia M (Wood) Crook. Beloved fur
babies Cindy, Mitzi, Abbey, Chigger and Miss Kitty also precede.
In 1951 Ed enlisted in the US Navy and served several tours of duty on the USS Boxer during the Korean War; he was honorably discharged in 1955. Upon discharge he went to work at the Kansas State Prison as a guard. In 1964 he began working as a steamfitter/pipefitter at
Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base in Belton, Missouri and moved his family to Peculiar, Missouri.
In 1973 Ed moved back to Leavenworth and began working at Ft Leavenworth and then at the Federal Prison until he retired as a maintenance supervisor in 1993.
In his spare time, Ed was a "horse trader" and he spent much of his free time attending auctions and buying, selling, raising and riding horses. Ed and Patty also spent many hours looking for that perfect bargain at hundreds of garage and estate sales. Ed enjoyed woodworking and the construction trades and helping his children and others with numerous projects around their homes. Ed built four of his own homes. Ed was also a mentor. He shared his life, talents, and experiences with several young men who became like family. It was just Ed's nature to help others when he could. He was a generous, giving man.
Ed is lovingly survived by daughters Vicky (Doug) Evert of Leslie, Michigan; Tracy Dugger (Loren) of Leavenworth, Kansas and one son, James (Wynema) Whalen of Fleming, Missouri. Ed is survived by 12 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Ed is also survived by honorary granddaughter Cassie Callaway and the Combs Family: Major and Brooke, William and honorary grandchildren Major, Baylee and Edward. Fur baby Spike also survives.
It was Ed's desire to remain at home after he became disabled. He was lovingly cared for over the past year by his daughter Tracy and a host of caregivers from VITAS (Nurse Julie) and Prestige Home Health and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts.
Visitation will be held at Davis Funeral Chapel, Leavenworth, Kansas on Saturday, June 21, 2025 from 10:00 to 11:00 am. The funeral will begin at 11:00 am with burial services at Easton Cemetery following the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hope Inc, an animal care organization
in Leavenworth, Kansas.