Preston Jerry Cromer

Preston Cromer was born on January 23, 1949 and passed away December 13th, 2017 at Palo Pinto General Hospital in Mineral Wells, Texas. However, most of his friends knew him affectionately as “Rat”! Preston was born in Springfield, Missouri but at an early age the family moved to Texas and settled in Brownfield, Texas. His father, Pete Cromer, was Chief Deputy Sheriff for many years and then Justice of the Peace of Brownfield. Preston had many years there and even became a local hero saving a young friend from drowning. He spent many weekends at the racetrack in New Mexico. His passion was cars and making them go faster and had several wrecks that left everyone wondering how he lived through them. Preston did not know a stranger and always referred to his home as the home for wayward adults. No matter your troubles he offered a warm stool a stiff drink and an ear to listen. Life was never boring when Preston was around. He gave many years of cookouts, camping, fishing, dancing and music festivals. If you left the Cromer home hungry it was your own fault. Preston had upscale friends and downscale friends and he treated them all the same. He had one son, Jerry Jasper Cromer with Sharon Cromer and was very proud of the man he had become. His son is in the Air Force and a firefighter, medic for Farmers Branch. He is also proud of daughter-in-law Gayla Brodgon Cromer and his two granddaughters Madison and Emma of Willow Park, Texas. Preston was in the Navy a short time and excelled in his mechanic skills. He was owner of Cromer Car Clinic in Mineral Wells for several years and when he went out of business he went to work for Steve Nixon at Jap Auto. Preston is survived by his wife and soul mate Karen Cromer, his brothers Oscar Pete and Phil Cromer and a sister Penny Wright of Missouri, his step-children Phil Allen of Carrollton, Chuck Jernigan of Mineral Wells and James Harvey of Jacksboro. Preston was proceeded in death by his parents Pete and Ester Cromer and a sister Pam of Lubbock. Also his favorite dog and companion Bobo and several friends he considered family. Family and friends will have a celebration of his life on January 20th at 10am at his home that he lovingly called the “center of the universe”.