"Lawrece-Doresmond-Crocker Sr."{April 30,1893-September 9,1966)

He was of six children born to to Cyrille & Louise Wallace Crocker.The Crocker family lived at 1573 North Claiborne Avenue in the 7" ward. Lawrence graduated from St.Paul Lutheran,Daniel Hand and Straight College (now Dillard University). He did graduate work at Chicago,University,Harvard University and earned a Master of Arts Degree from the University of Minnesota.

Returning to New Orleans,Professor Crocker began his teaching career in 1916 at the Miro School,now known as Valena C.Jones Elementary.A year later,he was chosen to join the staff of McDonogh# 35,the first public high school for children of color in the city.He married Lillian Mathieu and from 1918-1921,they resided in Louisville,Kentucky where he taught French and Mathematics before returning to McDonogh#35.He held several other teaching positions before being assigned as principal to John W.Hoffman in 1926.It was here that Professor Crocker established the reputation of being an outstanding educator.A 1940 editorial in the local Louisiana Weekly described him in this way:

"Honors do not excite him,acknowledgements do not change his stride,and responsibilities do not influence his saneness.He doesn't carry his education on his sleeve,it is in his mind.His words and actions are easily comprehended.His life is a quiet one,but the contributes greatly to the community by rightly teaching the students of Hoffman School.Mr.Crocker looks upon the community with marked interest and with a perspective that draws the problem of the community in the palm of his hand,and where they usually dissolved and straighten out."

While serving as principal of J.W. Hoffman,Professor Crocker often stressed the importance of the need of a high school whose curriculum would include vocational education.For this reason,he was highly recommended and selected as the first principal of the new Booker T.Washington in 1942.It was the second  public high school to open in the city,twenty-five years after McDonogh#35,but the first to emphasize vocational education as a core of its curriculum.Upon accepting this position,Mr. Crocker said,"i am fully conscious of the great responsibility imposed upon me. I assume you that I approach the work with determination to give the best that is in me."

For the next 16 years (1942-1958),he would retain the principal ship of Booker T.Washington School.Throughout this period,students often referred to him as "The Creeping Jesus" since he had a special ability to creep behind them undetected as they tried to cut classes or break other school rules.His students would often say,"Mr.Crocker was a wonderful principal.He was always very soft spoken but ruled with an fist and when he spoke we listened."

Following his retirement from the school system in 1958,Mr.Crocker accepted a position at Dillard University as assistant professor of education and as acting dean of students in 1965.

Professor Crocker was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity,Phi  Delta Kappa,Young Men's Christian Association,Urban League of Greater New Orleans,NAACP Orleans Principal Association,Dillard University Alumni Association,Louisiana Education Association,National Educational Association,and a member of the board of directors of Flint-Goodridge Hospital.

Lawrence passed away at his home.He was survived by his second wife Maude Dedeaux Crocker,longtime principal of Joseph A.Graig,and four children: Lillian C.Jones,Dr.Cyril Crocker,Dr.Albert Crocker,and Lawrence Crocker Jr.A requiem Mass was celebrated at St.Peter Claver Catholic Church.He was interred in St.Louis Cemetery #3.