Earl Clark Croswell, proud veteran

Earl Clark Croswell of Millsboro passed away peacefully Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Earl was born April 23, 1943, to William and Margaret in Annapolis, Md. After he graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 1961, Earl joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a very proud Marine. 

After serving in the USMC, Earl went on to own and operate several businesses on the shore. Most will know him from his time as a Chevrolet dealer in Snow Hill, Md., but he also spent time with Delaware State Police as a K9 officer and even taught HVAC classes at Del Tech.

Believing that anything was possible if you put your mind to it, Earl strove for success in everything that he did, especially if that involved racing. Having raced jeeps and owned a stock car in his younger years, he decided to slow down a little in his 50s and race horses. In one year, he was the winningest owner, trainer and driver.

Earl didn’t stick to just cars and horses; he was also a charter boat captain and a pilot. He did custom woodworking for friends, and if it snowed you knew your driveway would be plowed. 

Earl is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Linda; their son, Cody and his wife Bernadette; his daughter, Dawn Hopkins and her husband Johnny; his son, Shawn Croswell and his wife Wendi. Earl was loved by many, including his grandchildren, Collin, Izaak, Justin and Caitlin, to whom he was known as Poppy. And don’t forget his faithful dog, Mater. 

He was preceded in death by two brothers William (Bill) and Pete; and a sister Jean.

Services will be held at noon, Friday, Jan. 27, at Bay Shore Community Church in Gumboro, with a viewing beginning at 10 a.m. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m., at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Dagsboro.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Delaware Hospice.

Electronic condolences to watsonfh.com.