TOM CROOK

Tom Crook, age 59, of Elburn, passed away surrounded by his family, wrapped in love and devotion, Saturday, November 5, 2022.

He was born March 21, 1963, in Geneva, IL, to proud and loving parents, William and Donna Crook.

Tom grew up in Lily Lake, IL and attended local schools while being instrumental in the care of his father who suffered tragically from Multiple sclerosis. It may have been where his work ethic was formed, but it was also where a special mother-son bond began to grow.

At the early age of 12, Tom worked at a local gas station before moving on to his “forever” career in all things road and asphalt construction and worked his way up to panel operator.

Tom first met Deborah Pinkerton when her sister dated Tom’s best friend. She was also a nurse’s aide and cared for his father when he fell ill. The time came when their paths crossed again, and this time more than just sparks flew. The inferno that followed blazed a trail to the altar and they were united in marriage on February 5, 1988.  They began their new life together back in his hometown of Lily Lake before making 28 years of memories in Elburn.                                                                                           

He was a hard worker, dedicated to each job he held and was immensely proud of being a union man at Local 150.

Tom had an unbelievable amount of energy for anything and everything. When he was laid off for the winter, he took on a hobby or project and to be sure, each of those were bigger than life because he never did anything halfway. From remodeling, playing date night, to just mowing the lawn, Tom gave his whole heart and soul to everything, was “king of the details” and never stopped until the job was done, if not epically done. Even in his last weeks, you could find Tom laying bricks on his back patio. Nothing and no one could stop him, and even when declining health took the lead, it was only his body that was beaten, never his spirit. Tom took on the reins of President of Elburn Basketball for five years, coaching his sons and developed the “All-Star Spectacular” and made sure the fog machine was in full effect, much to the delight of the young basketball stars. He flashed a thumbs up sign or “rock and roll” in an instant, and though hand signals were silent, Tom never was. He ran at 110%, 110% of the time. The life of the party and larger than life, Tom took over a room as soon as he walked in with confidence, authenticity and that one-of-a-kind smile. He picked up golf at a later age and threw himself into the game until he mastered it. Racecars were the only thing that you could compare Tom to, and it is no wonder that he became a racing aficionado, transforming his basement into a love letter to the racetrack. His mind was always hungry for knowledge and never quit until he mastered whatever he put his heart and mind to. Tom’s legacy was that he always left a place better than when he found it, and that included the lives of all who knew him. Tom has left the world a duller place for his absence, but the mark he left was as indelible as it was everlasting.

He now leaves a loving wife, Deborah Lee Crook; two sons: Kit (Vanessa) Crook and Cody (Alanna Cattaneo) Crook; one granddaughter, Sofiia Crook; four nieces and nephews: Ted Crook, Jenny Crook, William “Billy” Norton and Elaine (Lannie) Zelazoski and a fantastic family of friends whose lives will never be the same.

He now joins his parents, William and Donna Crook; two siblings: Linda Runge and Willy (Doreen) Crook, and one niece, Cynthia Norton, who preceded him in death.

A memorial visitation will be from 10-12p.m., Saturday, November 12, 2022, with a service to follow at 12 p.m. Interment will be at Lily Lake Cemetery.    

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Conley Outreach Community Services at https://conleyoutreach.org/donate., or to Garfield Farm Museum, Box 403, LaFox, IL 60147 or on  line at www.garfieldfarm.org.  Tributes and memories may be left on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.