Flatus Wesley Crook

Commander Flatus Wesley Crook, U.S. Navy, Retired, age 94, was born on a hillside farm two miles west of Pangburn, Cleburne County, January 29, 1920. He died January 24, 2015. He was the fifth child of Hugh Chester Crook and Carrie Anne Marsh Crook of Cleburne and White Counties. Wesley, as he liked to be called, graduated from Pangburn High School in 1938, attended the University of Arkansas two and one half years prior to joining the Navy in 1941 as an aviation cadet, and was commissioned an Ensign Naval Aviator May 1942. He served as a transport pilot in the Pacific until 1946 at which time he transferred from Naval Reserve status to Regular Navy becoming a career naval officer. Duty assignments included the following: VIP pilot, public information officer for the Chief of Naval Air Training, Assistant Air Officer and ship's Navigator of aircraft carrier USS Sicily during the Korean Conflict, Admiral's Aide, executive officer anti-submarine warfare patrol and Cold War electronic reconnaissance, quality control of aircraft overhaul, Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans on the Staff of Alaskan Sea Frontier, Electronic Reconnaissance Plane Commander for the Atlantic Air Defense Barrier, Executive Officer Amphibious Transport ship USS Muliphen, Logistics' Officer on the staff of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Head of Industrial Management Staff in the Air systems Command of the Navy Department, Washington D.C. He retired from active duty July 1, 1967. Civilian life began as assistance to the President of the National Parks Association followed by Project Manager of several studies in Biomedical Research. In 1973 he returned to Arkansas where he worked as a Commercial Credit Manager for Arkansas Air and Ameron, Inc. He had a brief tour as a commercial fisherman on his brother's boat in the Pacific. His main civilian assignment has been as caregiver for his mother and two wives. Wesley has been a server most of his life. Nature, fishing, hunting, golfing, bird watching, beekeeping and gardening have been matters of interest. He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and has been a faithful and active member of First United Methodist Church of North Little Rock since March, 1974, serving on the Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Administrative Board, President of Methodist Men, and member of Walter Seeker's Sunday School Class, serving as president and sometimes teacher. He was a long time member of the North Little Rock Lions Club, serving as president 1994-1995 and many other capacities for which he received the Melvin Jones Award and the Edwin Dalstrom Distinguished Service Award. He was an active member of the Military Officers Association of Arkansas and a member of the Order of Daedalians, the national fraternity of military pilots. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Hugh William, Lonnie Harold and Aubrey Leon; sisters, Jewel Anne (infant), Anne Lucille Abernathy and Audrey Lenora Dodd; wife of 48 years, Isabelle Felicia Shull of Prescott, Arizona, and wife of 5 years, Juanita Goodloe Melton of Searcy, Arkansas. He is survived by his wife Nancy Shelton; sons, Wesley David Crook of North Little Rock, Lonnie Cortland Crook (Julie) of Cincinnati, Ohio; daughter Cynthia Claire Crawford (Gerald) of Florence, Alabama; grandsons Peter, Kevin and Jesse Crook, Dr. Jerry Crawford, Dr. Jay Crawford (Stacy); Stepsons Dr. Clinton Melton (Pat), James Neighbors; Step daughters Julia Melton Foxx (James), Ann Melton Eason (Ed), Julie Neighbors, Vanessa Neighbors Doane and son Alex; cousin Loyce Crook Childers of Searcy, Arkansas. Visitation will be Wednesday, January 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Smith – North Little Rock Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at North Little Rock First United Methodist Church Thursday, January 29, 10 a.m. Interment will be at Henderson Cemetery, Pangburn, Arkansas, with Military honors. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to North Little Rock United Methodist Church, North Little Rock Lions Club or Arkansas Children's Hospital. Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.