Matthew C. Crocker Matthew (Matt) C. Crocker (February 15,

Matthew C. Crocker Matthew (Matt) C. Crocker (February 15, 1965-May 5, 2025) unexpectedly passed away, while engaged in his craft, literally in his work boots. He leaves his beloved wife, Terri Crocker, legions of friends and co-workers, and generations of cats and dogs. Matt came up in an international milieu, born in Detroit MI, then traveling with his parents (Charles Crocker d. 2004; Carla Crocker d. 1984) to live in Switzerland. Growing up in the Swiss culture through to the early 1970s, Matt and his family returned to the Detroit area, where he lived through to graduating from Birmingham Seaholm High School in 1983. He declined a full-ride scholarship to Wayne State U. in Detroit to begin his life of adventure at Beloit College (WI), studying literature. The call of the road and western US wilderness was strong, and Matt began his travels. He crisscrossed the country, then finding a home for his intellect, talent and craft in carpentry. He settled in Albuquerque where he was recognized as the go-to carpenter for all phases of a construction project. This is where he met the love of his life, Terri. While previously his art had been informed by his reading in many literatures, and expressed through his writing discipline, his appreciation of jazz ("my writing music"), rock and roll, and the avant guard; he re-focused these inspirations to create beautiful, functional, and structurally robust houses and unique architectural features that channeled his aesthetic sensibility. He leaves us with numerous examples of his vision; his work will endure through the ages. He worked in concert with his colleagues in the trades, forming strong bonds over the years. A barn-raising, roast, and sharing of stories will be held in the near future. Tributes should be directed to the American Heart Association.