James David Croker

James Croker Obituary

James David Croker, Sr., 87, of Indianapolis passed away unexpectedly at his residence at Little Sisters of the Poor St. Augustine Home for the Aged on Sunday, January 15, 2023.  Jim was born on September 26, 1935, in Indianapolis to the late Lawrence and Charlotte (Ward) Croker. 

Jim was a 1953 graduate of Shortridge High School, where he made lifelong friendships. He went to Indiana University for two years, where he joined the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. In 1957 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force for two years.

Jim married Alison Dyer on August 9, 1958, in St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church. They had four children over the next 11 years, while Jim held various positions with the city, county and state. They were married for nearly 63 years before Alison passed in 2021.

In 1969, Jim was between jobs and answered a call for extras at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where they were filming a movie. It was called Winning and it starred Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. He was selected to be the stand-in for Robert Wagner and got the experience of a lifetime, rubbing elbows with celebrities and contributing to the movie-making process.

53 years later, he MC’d the annual St. Augustine Mini 500, where the staff and residents “race” around the circular front entrance. While not as exciting as a brush with Hollywood, Jim did meet the Indy 500 Princesses and had a wonderful time.

Being Irish and Catholic were core to Jim’s identity. He was passionate about many things throughout his life:

He was active for many years in local politics, serving as local ward chairman in the early 1970s and volunteering at the polls for most elections.
He raised and trained award-winning English Springer Spaniels for both hunting and show dogs, and later focused on using his Springers as therapy dogs, visiting nursing homes and hospitals.
He dabbled in amateur photography, working to capture the most perfect photo of the beautiful red lighthouse in Macatawa, Michigan, where he often vacationed with friends and family.
He worked for decades tracing his family’s roots, building ever-expanding family trees and making connections all over the U.S. in his genealogical endeavors.
He loved jazz music and collected the complete works of Stan Kenton, his favorite. After moving to St. Augustine in late 2021, he would play his music loud enough for his whole floor to enjoy.

Though he only lived at St. Augustine for a bit more than a year, Jim made an impact on the staff and residents, and vice versa. He had a big personality and quick wit that will be missed by all who knew him.

He was proceeded in death by his parents Lawrence and Charlotte Croker, brother Lawrence “Bud” Croker, Jr., sister Barbara Croker Steinberger, and wife Alison Dyer Croker.

Survivors include his children Anita Johnson of State College, PA, Theresa O’Connell of Indianapolis, Jim Croker, Jr. of Indianapolis and Laura Croker of Lexington, KY; and granddaughter, Haley Johnson of Pittsburgh, PA. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, January 19, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the Little Sisters of the Poor chapel at St. Augustine Home for the Aged, 2345 W. 86th Street, Indianapolis, with calling at the chapel starting at 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass. Burial will be private in Calvary Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions have been suggested to Little Sisters of the Poor, 2345 W. 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260. 

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