Older Americans Month Events

from the Weakley County Press, Martin, TN — May 28, 2004

Older Americans Month salutes a Martin treasure

Ed Crockett is an enigma in many ways.

Born in 1929 in Martin, there isn't much he hasn't done. When he puts his mind to it, he goes after it.

And it's obvious to anyone who knows him, he likes to stay busy.

As they say in the Air Force where he spent a large portion of his adult life, Crockett has never been grounded, always flying. These days maybe not quite as high, but his feet seem to never touch the ground.

Crockett graduated from the former Weakley County High School and attended the former Tennessee A&I State College before joining the Air Force in 1948.

He retired 20 years later as a technical sergeant in 1968. During his stint in the military, Crockett visited all over the world, traveling to several countries including France, Italy, England, Japan, Greenland, Turkey, Germany, Greece and Hawaii before it became the country's 50th state.

After leaving the service, Crockett got back into the work force and worked for the University of Tennessee at Martin for 10 years, then worked another five years at Vanayer Nursing Home and 19 years for the City of Martin.

Currently, he serves on the advisory board of the North-west Area Agency on Aging and Disability, as a volunteer for the Ombudsman program, WE CARE ministries and is a volunteer at the Martin Senior Center where he is the number one Bingo caller.

For the last six years, Crockett has participated in the Northwest Tennessee District Senior Games and the Tennessee State Senior Games and has won nearly 20 medals medals in horseshoes and shuffleboard on both levels.

Crockett presently serves as Martin's Ambassador to the Senior Games.

This month, the Northwest Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability is saluting Crockett for his exceptional work with the organization during Older Americans Month.