Columbus, OH — Earl Clark Croswell, 79, of Millsboro, Del., died Jan. 18, 2023, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Earl Clark Croswell, 79, of Millsboro, Del., died Jan. 18, 2023. Provided photo.

Mr. Croswell was born in April of 1943 to William and Margaret in Annapolis, Md. After he graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 1961, he joined the USMC. He was a very proud Marine.

After serving in the USMC, he 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 the 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, Mr. Croswell 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 fifties and race horses. In one year, he was the winningest owner, trainer and driver.

He was a member of the USTA, a director on the DSOA Board of Directors, and was also a member of the Cloverleaf SOA.

Mr. Croswell 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.

He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Linda; their son, Cody (Bernadette); his daughter, Dawn (Johnny) Hopkins; and his son, Shawn (Wendi). He was loved by many, including his grandchildren, Collin, Izaak, Justin, and Caitlin. He was known as Poppy. And don’t forget his faithful dog, Mater. He was preceded in death by his brothers, William (Bill) and Pete; and a sister, Jean.

Services are to be held on Friday (Jan. 27) at the Bay Shore Community Church in Gumboro. Viewing begins at 10 a.m., with service at 12 p.m. Graveside services will then be held at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Dagsboro at 2 p.m.

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