Dodson L.”Sonny” Crooks

Dodson L.”Sonny” Crooks, 88, Nevada, Mo., passed away on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, at Truman Medical Center in Kansas City, Mo. Sonny was born July 13, 1932, in Garland, Mo., the son of Denver Marshell and Lula May (Middaugh) Crooks. He was united in marriage to Helen May Davis on June 29, 1951, and she preceded him in death on Jan. 30, 2002. He married Frances LaVerne (Phillips) Bobbett on June 15, 2003, and she survives of the home.

Sonny was raised on a self-sufficient family farm where they raised gardens, cattle, and dairy. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in December of 1952 and received an honorable medical discharge due to hearing loss. After the service Sonny worked for Chevrolet in Kansa City and later delivered milk for Sealtest. Sonny owned several Dairy Queen franchises before moving to Nevada in 1974 and operated a Dairy Queen and in 1975 he opened the existing Dairy Queen on Cherry Street. He operated D.O. Motors in Nevada on the old Dairy Queen site. After selling the Dairy Queen in 1996 he continued to work with his son at D.O. Motors until 2003. Sonny’s longtime wish in life was to hear clearly. Sonny has a passion for antique cars, racing, collecting die cast cars, and tractors. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Nevada, and a 60+ year member of the Masonic Lodge. Sonny also helped his wife, LaVerne at her job at Ferry Funeral Home.

In addition to his wife, LaVerne, he is survived by three sons, Danny Lee Crooks (Peggy), Humble, Texas, Carey Wayne Crooks (Meshele), Nevada, Mo., and Ricky Lynn Crooks, Nevada, Mo.; grandchildren, Benji Crooks (Jennifer), Brandi Holsted (Michael), Sara McDermott (Brian), Ashley Polhemus (Alex), Travis Bogart (Jill), Marklee Bogart, Kandette Ricketts (Carl), Caramee Ann Crooks (Chad), Krystal Kay McCoy (Matt), Darrick Crooks, (Brooke), Justin Crooks (Ashley), and Danielle Wyland; 23 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter; one sister, Barbara “Bobbie” Ruth Maxwell (Jerry); one brother, Denny Dale Crooks (Shirley); and a sister-in-law, Kathryn Phillips, Nevada.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Ferry Funeral Home, in Nevada, with Dr. Kevin Daugherty and the Rev. Hubert Fox officiating. Interment will follow in Newton Burial Park in Nevada. Friends may call now and until the hour of service at Ferry Funeral Home.

Memorials are suggested in his memory to the Children’s Department of the First Baptist Church in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.