Obituary from the Tacoma News Tribune, 12/15/1951, pg. A-3, w/photo:
Croft Admired Here In Death as in Life
by Bill Dugovich
A man who gave more than he took. H.W. (Lee) Croft, is gone.
Like the way he lived, he died Friday noon at St. Joseph's hospital, thinking of his friends.
The silver-haired Tacoman passed away peacefully.
He was a lumberjack, prospector, traveler, hotel operator, and a leading figure in political and civic circles. He was all these and more, but those who knew Lee Croft, remember him as a friend.
A former Pierce county sheriff, Croft had been in the hospital only five days. He was sitting up in bed, reading letters from some of his many friends, when he passed away. The attending physician said he died of pneumonia. He was 69 years old.
Throughout his lifetime, he lived the kind of life many dream or read about, but few experience. His real name was Henry William Croft. Everyone knew him as "Lee."
People referred to him as "an old-timer," but Croft was not content to accept so simple a statement. He proudly added that he was born in a home built before the Civil war and that the house didn't have a single nail in it. The birthplace was a rough timber cabin at Beaufaw Prairie in Lewis County.
Came in 1902
As a youngster he went to school at Claquato and later Markham, but quit in the eighth grade to work at a logging camp. He came to Tacoma in 1902 with his parents. His father, Edmund Croft, served in the state Legislature as a Pierce county representative in 1907.
Between jobs in various logging camps, Croft made frequent trips to the Yukon and Alaskan territories in search of gold. He found little in material wealth but gained many experiences which he prized and repeated with fondness in his later years. He traveled also to India and England and to other distant parts of the world.
His desire for activity naturally led to the boxing ring. In 1908 Croft became heavyweight champion of the Pacific coast, from California to Alaska. He alternately won and gave away purses.
At meetings and other public gatherings, Croft loved to talk of the days he "panned gold and fought every fighter that came along." He taught Victor McLaglen, later a movie star, how to use a left hook in boxing.
One of his most cherised prizes was the title "Operator of the Hotel Which Has Been in Business For the Longest TIme in the Same Spot in the United States." He used this title in recent years, gained as a result of the purchase by himself and a brother, Edmund (Mike), of the Croft hotel at So. 17th St. and Pacific Ave.
Elected Sheriff
Although, for brief periods, he worked for the Departments of Interior and Agriculture, and served two terms on the Tacoma Civil Service commission, he made his first real entry into politics in 1942 when he ran and was elected sheriff on the Democratic ticket. He was re-elected four years later.
His love for folklore and history won him many friends and titles. And he prized his knack for reciting favorite verses and unearthing interresting oddities concerning national or local figures and events. His office was colored with such mementos as pistols, pictures of cowboys and horses, postcards, calendars and photographs of friends and celebrities.
Boys were one of Lee Croft's happiest hobbies. He woud stop in the middle of a step to help youth organizations. He established the Sheriff's ball and directed that all proceeds be used for the Tacoma Boys' club. Many of his efforts were directed at building a better Boys club, DeMolay or Eagles youth programs.
Croft's interest in youngsters spread to his four grandchildren who he proudy displayed on his hotel calendars along with pictures of his sons, William Sidney Croft, of Cutbank, Mont. and 1st Lt. Bliss Croft of Fort Bragg, N.C.
Besides his sons and grandchildren, he is survived by his wife, Pearl Bliss, whom he married on Christmas day, 1918, and a daughter, Mrs. Gloria Croft Dickerson, of the hotel. His brother, the late Sydney Croft, developed the famous Croft lily.
He joined many organizations and, as in his daily living and fighting career, he gave to each all of his energy. He attained both the Scottish and York rites in the Shrine. He was a past governor of Tacoma lodge No. 435, Loyal Orderof Moose, and a past president of Tacoma Aerie No. 3 of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He enjoyed also working for the Sourdough club and the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen.
Belonged to Groups
Among the many other groups and organizations in whch he took an active part were the Salvation Army of which he was a life member, Lions club, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Footprinters, Breakfast group, Tacoma checker club and the Masonic order. He was a member of Fern chapter, O.E.S. He served in the National Guard. Family members said he attened many different churches.
Private funeral services will be held Monday at the C.C. Mellinger funeral home. The Rev. Donald Rogne will officiate. Burial will be at Tacoma cemetery.
One of Mr. Croft's last requests was revealed by his daughter, Mrs. Dickerson. He asked that friends, instead of sending flowers, contribute to the Tacoma Boys club.
Croft Admired Here In Death as in Life
by Bill Dugovich
A man who gave more than he took. H.W. (Lee) Croft, is gone.
Like the way he lived, he died Friday noon at St. Joseph's hospital, thinking of his friends.
The silver-haired Tacoman passed away peacefully.
He was a lumberjack, prospector, traveler, hotel operator, and a leading figure in political and civic circles. He was all these and more, but those who knew Lee Croft, remember him as a friend.
A former Pierce county sheriff, Croft had been in the hospital only five days. He was sitting up in bed, reading letters from some of his many friends, when he passed away. The attending physician said he died of pneumonia. He was 69 years old.
Throughout his lifetime, he lived the kind of life many dream or read about, but few experience. His real name was Henry William Croft. Everyone knew him as "Lee."
People referred to him as "an old-timer," but Croft was not content to accept so simple a statement. He proudly added that he was born in a home built before the Civil war and that the house didn't have a single nail in it. The birthplace was a rough timber cabin at Beaufaw Prairie in Lewis County.
Came in 1902
As a youngster he went to school at Claquato and later Markham, but quit in the eighth grade to work at a logging camp. He came to Tacoma in 1902 with his parents. His father, Edmund Croft, served in the state Legislature as a Pierce county representative in 1907.
Between jobs in various logging camps, Croft made frequent trips to the Yukon and Alaskan territories in search of gold. He found little in material wealth but gained many experiences which he prized and repeated with fondness in his later years. He traveled also to India and England and to other distant parts of the world.
His desire for activity naturally led to the boxing ring. In 1908 Croft became heavyweight champion of the Pacific coast, from California to Alaska. He alternately won and gave away purses.
At meetings and other public gatherings, Croft loved to talk of the days he "panned gold and fought every fighter that came along." He taught Victor McLaglen, later a movie star, how to use a left hook in boxing.
One of his most cherised prizes was the title "Operator of the Hotel Which Has Been in Business For the Longest TIme in the Same Spot in the United States." He used this title in recent years, gained as a result of the purchase by himself and a brother, Edmund (Mike), of the Croft hotel at So. 17th St. and Pacific Ave.
Elected Sheriff
Although, for brief periods, he worked for the Departments of Interior and Agriculture, and served two terms on the Tacoma Civil Service commission, he made his first real entry into politics in 1942 when he ran and was elected sheriff on the Democratic ticket. He was re-elected four years later.
His love for folklore and history won him many friends and titles. And he prized his knack for reciting favorite verses and unearthing interresting oddities concerning national or local figures and events. His office was colored with such mementos as pistols, pictures of cowboys and horses, postcards, calendars and photographs of friends and celebrities.
Boys were one of Lee Croft's happiest hobbies. He woud stop in the middle of a step to help youth organizations. He established the Sheriff's ball and directed that all proceeds be used for the Tacoma Boys' club. Many of his efforts were directed at building a better Boys club, DeMolay or Eagles youth programs.
Croft's interest in youngsters spread to his four grandchildren who he proudy displayed on his hotel calendars along with pictures of his sons, William Sidney Croft, of Cutbank, Mont. and 1st Lt. Bliss Croft of Fort Bragg, N.C.
Besides his sons and grandchildren, he is survived by his wife, Pearl Bliss, whom he married on Christmas day, 1918, and a daughter, Mrs. Gloria Croft Dickerson, of the hotel. His brother, the late Sydney Croft, developed the famous Croft lily.
He joined many organizations and, as in his daily living and fighting career, he gave to each all of his energy. He attained both the Scottish and York rites in the Shrine. He was a past governor of Tacoma lodge No. 435, Loyal Orderof Moose, and a past president of Tacoma Aerie No. 3 of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He enjoyed also working for the Sourdough club and the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen.
Belonged to Groups
Among the many other groups and organizations in whch he took an active part were the Salvation Army of which he was a life member, Lions club, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Footprinters, Breakfast group, Tacoma checker club and the Masonic order. He was a member of Fern chapter, O.E.S. He served in the National Guard. Family members said he attened many different churches.
Private funeral services will be held Monday at the C.C. Mellinger funeral home. The Rev. Donald Rogne will officiate. Burial will be at Tacoma cemetery.
One of Mr. Croft's last requests was revealed by his daughter, Mrs. Dickerson. He asked that friends, instead of sending flowers, contribute to the Tacoma Boys club.
Obituary from the Tacoma News Tribune, 12/15/1951, pg. A-3, w/photo:
Croft Admired Here In Death as in Life
by Bill Dugovich
A man who gave more than he took. H.W. (Lee) Croft, is gone.
Like the way he lived, he died Friday noon at St. Joseph's hospital, thinking of his friends.
The silver-haired Tacoman passed away peacefully.
He was a lumberjack, prospector, traveler, hotel operator, and a leading figure in political and civic circles. He was all these and more, but those who knew Lee Croft, remember him as a friend.
A former Pierce county sheriff, Croft had been in the hospital only five days. He was sitting up in bed, reading letters from some of his many friends, when he passed away. The attending physician said he died of pneumonia. He was 69 years old.
Throughout his lifetime, he lived the kind of life many dream or read about, but few experience. His real name was Henry William Croft. Everyone knew him as "Lee."
People referred to him as "an old-timer," but Croft was not content to accept so simple a statement. He proudly added that he was born in a home built before the Civil war and that the house didn't have a single nail in it. The birthplace was a rough timber cabin at Beaufaw Prairie in Lewis County.
Came in 1902
As a youngster he went to school at Claquato and later Markham, but quit in the eighth grade to work at a logging camp. He came to Tacoma in 1902 with his parents. His father, Edmund Croft, served in the state Legislature as a Pierce county representative in 1907.
Between jobs in various logging camps, Croft made frequent trips to the Yukon and Alaskan territories in search of gold. He found little in material wealth but gained many experiences which he prized and repeated with fondness in his later years. He traveled also to India and England and to other distant parts of the world.
His desire for activity naturally led to the boxing ring. In 1908 Croft became heavyweight champion of the Pacific coast, from California to Alaska. He alternately won and gave away purses.
At meetings and other public gatherings, Croft loved to talk of the days he "panned gold and fought every fighter that came along." He taught Victor McLaglen, later a movie star, how to use a left hook in boxing.
One of his most cherised prizes was the title "Operator of the Hotel Which Has Been in Business For the Longest TIme in the Same Spot in the United States." He used this title in recent years, gained as a result of the purchase by himself and a brother, Edmund (Mike), of the Croft hotel at So. 17th St. and Pacific Ave.
Elected Sheriff
Although, for brief periods, he worked for the Departments of Interior and Agriculture, and served two terms on the Tacoma Civil Service commission, he made his first real entry into politics in 1942 when he ran and was elected sheriff on the Democratic ticket. He was re-elected four years later.
His love for folklore and history won him many friends and titles. And he prized his knack for reciting favorite verses and unearthing interresting oddities concerning national or local figures and events. His office was colored with such mementos as pistols, pictures of cowboys and horses, postcards, calendars and photographs of friends and celebrities.
Boys were one of Lee Croft's happiest hobbies. He woud stop in the middle of a step to help youth organizations. He established the Sheriff's ball and directed that all proceeds be used for the Tacoma Boys' club. Many of his efforts were directed at building a better Boys club, DeMolay or Eagles youth programs.
Croft's interest in youngsters spread to his four grandchildren who he proudy displayed on his hotel calendars along with pictures of his sons, William Sidney Croft, of Cutbank, Mont. and 1st Lt. Bliss Croft of Fort Bragg, N.C.
Besides his sons and grandchildren, he is survived by his wife, Pearl Bliss, whom he married on Christmas day, 1918, and a daughter, Mrs. Gloria Croft Dickerson, of the hotel. His brother, the late Sydney Croft, developed the famous Croft lily.
He joined many organizations and, as in his daily living and fighting career, he gave to each all of his energy. He attained both the Scottish and York rites in the Shrine. He was a past governor of Tacoma lodge No. 435, Loyal Orderof Moose, and a past president of Tacoma Aerie No. 3 of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He enjoyed also working for the Sourdough club and the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen.
Belonged to Groups
Among the many other groups and organizations in whch he took an active part were the Salvation Army of which he was a life member, Lions club, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Footprinters, Breakfast group, Tacoma checker club and the Masonic order. He was a member of Fern chapter, O.E.S. He served in the National Guard. Family members said he attened many different churches.
Private funeral services will be held Monday at the C.C. Mellinger funeral home. The Rev. Donald Rogne will officiate. Burial will be at Tacoma cemetery.
One of Mr. Croft's last requests was revealed by his daughter, Mrs. Dickerson. He asked that friends, instead of sending flowers, contribute to the Tacoma Boys club.
Croft Admired Here In Death as in Life
by Bill Dugovich
A man who gave more than he took. H.W. (Lee) Croft, is gone.
Like the way he lived, he died Friday noon at St. Joseph's hospital, thinking of his friends.
The silver-haired Tacoman passed away peacefully.
He was a lumberjack, prospector, traveler, hotel operator, and a leading figure in political and civic circles. He was all these and more, but those who knew Lee Croft, remember him as a friend.
A former Pierce county sheriff, Croft had been in the hospital only five days. He was sitting up in bed, reading letters from some of his many friends, when he passed away. The attending physician said he died of pneumonia. He was 69 years old.
Throughout his lifetime, he lived the kind of life many dream or read about, but few experience. His real name was Henry William Croft. Everyone knew him as "Lee."
People referred to him as "an old-timer," but Croft was not content to accept so simple a statement. He proudly added that he was born in a home built before the Civil war and that the house didn't have a single nail in it. The birthplace was a rough timber cabin at Beaufaw Prairie in Lewis County.
Came in 1902
As a youngster he went to school at Claquato and later Markham, but quit in the eighth grade to work at a logging camp. He came to Tacoma in 1902 with his parents. His father, Edmund Croft, served in the state Legislature as a Pierce county representative in 1907.
Between jobs in various logging camps, Croft made frequent trips to the Yukon and Alaskan territories in search of gold. He found little in material wealth but gained many experiences which he prized and repeated with fondness in his later years. He traveled also to India and England and to other distant parts of the world.
His desire for activity naturally led to the boxing ring. In 1908 Croft became heavyweight champion of the Pacific coast, from California to Alaska. He alternately won and gave away purses.
At meetings and other public gatherings, Croft loved to talk of the days he "panned gold and fought every fighter that came along." He taught Victor McLaglen, later a movie star, how to use a left hook in boxing.
One of his most cherised prizes was the title "Operator of the Hotel Which Has Been in Business For the Longest TIme in the Same Spot in the United States." He used this title in recent years, gained as a result of the purchase by himself and a brother, Edmund (Mike), of the Croft hotel at So. 17th St. and Pacific Ave.
Elected Sheriff
Although, for brief periods, he worked for the Departments of Interior and Agriculture, and served two terms on the Tacoma Civil Service commission, he made his first real entry into politics in 1942 when he ran and was elected sheriff on the Democratic ticket. He was re-elected four years later.
His love for folklore and history won him many friends and titles. And he prized his knack for reciting favorite verses and unearthing interresting oddities concerning national or local figures and events. His office was colored with such mementos as pistols, pictures of cowboys and horses, postcards, calendars and photographs of friends and celebrities.
Boys were one of Lee Croft's happiest hobbies. He woud stop in the middle of a step to help youth organizations. He established the Sheriff's ball and directed that all proceeds be used for the Tacoma Boys' club. Many of his efforts were directed at building a better Boys club, DeMolay or Eagles youth programs.
Croft's interest in youngsters spread to his four grandchildren who he proudy displayed on his hotel calendars along with pictures of his sons, William Sidney Croft, of Cutbank, Mont. and 1st Lt. Bliss Croft of Fort Bragg, N.C.
Besides his sons and grandchildren, he is survived by his wife, Pearl Bliss, whom he married on Christmas day, 1918, and a daughter, Mrs. Gloria Croft Dickerson, of the hotel. His brother, the late Sydney Croft, developed the famous Croft lily.
He joined many organizations and, as in his daily living and fighting career, he gave to each all of his energy. He attained both the Scottish and York rites in the Shrine. He was a past governor of Tacoma lodge No. 435, Loyal Orderof Moose, and a past president of Tacoma Aerie No. 3 of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He enjoyed also working for the Sourdough club and the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen.
Belonged to Groups
Among the many other groups and organizations in whch he took an active part were the Salvation Army of which he was a life member, Lions club, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Footprinters, Breakfast group, Tacoma checker club and the Masonic order. He was a member of Fern chapter, O.E.S. He served in the National Guard. Family members said he attened many different churches.
Private funeral services will be held Monday at the C.C. Mellinger funeral home. The Rev. Donald Rogne will officiate. Burial will be at Tacoma cemetery.
One of Mr. Croft's last requests was revealed by his daughter, Mrs. Dickerson. He asked that friends, instead of sending flowers, contribute to the Tacoma Boys club.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
