Ivan "Cronnie" Ker

Ivan “Cronnie” Croughn Ker passed away Wednesday May 2, 2012 at Hillcrest Hospital. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 5 at 11am at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Robinson. Burial will immediately follow at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation will be Friday, May 4 at Grace Gardens Funeral Home from 6 – 8pm.

Cronnie was born September 20, 1938 in Waco, TX to Ivan Milton and Jesse Noreen Ker. From the age of 2, after his mother’s death, he was raised by his grandparents Mr. and Mrs. LL Robinson. He graduated from Waco High School in 1957 and attended Baylor University.

In 1957 Cronnie became a minister and married Brenda Clemons Ker on June 27, 1958. He entered the Marine Reserves in 1957 and was honorably discharged in 1959.

Cronnie played on his first little league team in Waco in 1949-1950. He continued his baseball career on teams for the VFW, Holts Sporting Goods, and the junior league and the senior league at Waco High. A great pitcher, Cronnie was known for his fast ball and curve ball. He held the Texas Little League Strike-Out Record. He was scouted by the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburg Pirates and was offered a contract by Pittsburg’s farm club. He gave up a baseball career when God called him to preach. He always said he laid down his glove and picked up the Bible.

Although he never quit loving baseball, Cronnie never regretted his obedience to enter the ministry. He ministered in El Campo, TX, Lewisville, TX, Plano, TX, the Virgin Islands, Houston, TX, and Waco, TX. In Waco, he served at Parkview Baptist Church for 14 years, where he founded Parkview Christian Academy. He then founded Cornerstone Baptist Church and has continued serving there for 29 years. Over the last 55 years he has faithfully served the Lord and has forever changed an innumerable amount of lives.

Cronnie was preceded in death by his parents Ivan and Jesse, his son James Ivan, his youngest brother Jak, and his grandparents Mr. and Mrs. LL Robinson and Mr. and Mrs. Cron Ker.

He is survived by his wife Brenda Clemons Ker; his daughters Brenda Lois Felkner, Jamie Ferguson and her husband Andy, and Amy Gifford and her husband David; his grandchildren Anthea Parker and her husband Darrell, Cody Miller and his wife Jennifer, Lacey Richardson, James and Jessica Ferguson, and Emily, Hudson, and Kaylee Gifford; his great-grandchildren Ashlyn and Reagan Wilkerson and Matthew Parker; his siblings Milton Ker and his wife Betty, Tom Ker and his wife Linda, Bitsey Loy and her husband Buddy, Jon Ker and his wife Terri, and Kim Ker; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of family and friends.

The family requests that memorials be made to Cornerstone Baptist Church, 1601 S Robinson Dr, Robinson, TX 76706.

Funeral Service

11AM ,Saturday, May 5, 2012
Cornerstone Baptist Church
1601 S. Robinson Dr. Robinson, TX 76706

Visitation

6 - 8PM ,Friday, May 4, 2012
Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel
8220 Woodway Drive Waco, TX 76712