Dalton Earl Crockett, 86, of Ballinger, passed away Wednesday, July 27, 2011, in Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, Texas. He was born July 23, 1925, to D. M. (Buster) and Bertha Crockett in Norton, Texas. He lived in Norton until he joined the U.S. Army in 1944, to serve during World War II in the Pacific Theater. After the war he returned to Ballinger where he was elected to serve two terms as Runnels County tax assessor-collector and was nationally recognized at the age of 26 as one of the youngest Democrats to hold a public office. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Ballinger. As an avid fisherman, he spent many days and nights with family and friends on the Rio Grande and Pecos rivers. Dalton was a farmer and owner/operator of the Crockett Gin in Norton from 1959 until 1988. After retirement he could be found most mornings and afternoons at the Texas Theater shuffling dominoes or drinking coffee at Keel Drug. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers D.B. Crockett and W. A. Crockett. Survivors include Billie, his wife of 52 years; three daughters, Paula Easter and husband Jack of Duncanville, Texas, Dana Rich and husband Jim of San Antonio and Patty Esposito and husband Roddy of Abilene; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Visitation for family and friends will be from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, July 29, at Lange Funeral Home. Service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 30, at First United Methodist Church in Ballinger with the Rev. Buddy Moore officiating. Burial will follow in Garden of Memories Cemetery in Ballinger. Pallbearers will be Wayne Johnson, Robert Hambright, Mike Herron; and grandsons Jay Easter, J. D. Rich and Justin Leifeste. Honorary pallbearers will be Lester Schaefer, Kelly Chapman, Curtis Jennings and Lanham "Mac" Carter. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 525, Ballinger, TX 76821; or to a favorite charity.

Per San Angelo Standard Times of 7/299/2011
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