- Date Of Birth: January 30, 1929
- Date Of Death: June 1, 2021
- State: Iowa
Philip Wayne Croft, age 92, passed away on Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at the Accura Healthcare Center in Ogden where he had resided for the past three years, to the day. Phillip was born in Ames on January 30, 1929 to Lester Croft and Rose (Wagley) Croft. He attended school in Dawson and Yale. After graduating, he worked in New York doing Clementine appraisals with his brother, Paul. The love of a girl he met though, brought him back to Iowa. He married Dorothy Briar, June 1, 1949. They lived in Perry where he was a brakeman for the Chicago Pacific Railroad. Then they moved to Indiana where he worked on a farm for his uncle and was later a truck driver and had his own bread route. Then they moved to Grimes, Iowa where Philip worked at the Caning Factory and also started his career at John Deere in Ankeny. In 1961, the family moved to a farm near Luther. Philip then also began a career in farming which he continued until the fall of 1984 when he hired Dave and Pat Sheehan to farm for him. In 1987, he also retired from John Deere after 17+ years.
Philip was a member of Bethel Church. He enjoyed attending stock car races, going to auctions, watching his favorite teams on TV, working in his wood shop making furniture or any kind of wood gadget you might need. He also enjoyed going to retirement coffees with his John Deere buddies, having neighbors over to watch John Wayne movies, attending the Iowa State Fair and any church activities. His greatest joy though, was spending time with his family. He loved playing various board games such as Can’t Stop, Uno, and Solitaire with a deck of cards (not on the computer). His ultimate favorite game was Sorry! He was the family champion.
Philip also had a great passion to share with others, his relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Wherever he went, he would find a way to share this with anyone he met. He touched so many hearts with this great love. He told family that as long as he was on earth, this was his purpose. Then in May of 2018, he fell at the farm and broke his neck in 3 places, which would never completely heal. On June 1, 2018, he moved to Accura so he could have 24-hour care.
Philip is survived by his daughter, Barb Jeffress of Boone, his son Dave (Linda) Croft of Pella and his daughter Jill (Greg) Conrad of Fort Dodge, his brother, Dave (Audrey) Croft of Woodward, his grandchildren Bonnie (Leroy) Bedwell, Jeremy (Kendra) Harris Shannon (Jason) Sutton, Chris Alley (Bryn), Peter Schooler, Nason Schooler, Margie (Jon) Runaas, Katie Croft, Sarah (Jake) Veenstra, David Wayne (Jane Ann) Croft, 14 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dorothy, a daughter, Diane Harris, and two brothers John and Paul.
