David L. "Pete" Cromer was born in Lebanon, MO on September 17, 1945.   He departed from this life on May 24, 2018 at Mercy Hospital Springfield at the age of 72 years.   On August 17, 1968 he married Terri Henderson and they had two children.  He is survived by his wife, Terri of the home, a daughter Danelle and son in-law Don Richards of Rogers, AR, a son Chad and daughter in-law Chasity Cromer of Lebanon, and 4 grandchildren, Madeline, Noah, and Ryann Richards and Cayda Cromer.

Pete was preceded in death by his mother, Wilma Jo Caudle, sisters Peggy Morris and Debbie Brook, brother Larry Caudle, niece Lorissa Brook, sister in-law Cindy Henderson Sizemore, and in-laws Jim and Pearl Henderson.

Pete was raised by his grandparents, Oliver and Ida Cromer, on a farm near Lebanon in the Candock area.  At the age of 18 months, Pete contracted polio, which primarily affected the muscles in his legs.  However, he learned to walk with braces and he was able to do nearly everything a young boy had the desire to do.  Pete graduated from Lebanon High School in 1963 and expanded his interest in cars by becoming a mechanic.  He opened his own business, Cromer Motors, and was known for being an expert in air conditioner repair.

He was baptized at First Congregational Church on May 16, 1971.  Pete and Terri were also married in this church and in August, would have been married 50 years.

Pete enjoyed sketching, NASCAR, flying remote control airplanes, stamp collecting, repairing anything with a motor, growing tomatoes and cantaloupe, and restoring cars.  He restored several 1957-59 Ford Fairlane Retractable cars and showcased them in car shows in the area.  He was also very fond of bulldogs, including his dog, Tank, who was always at his side.  His greatest interest, however, was his grandchildren.  He was so proud of all of them and enjoyed watching their activities.

Memorial services will be held Sunday, May 27, 2018 at 2pm at First Congregational Church in Lebanon, MO.  A visitation will be held following the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Pete's name to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, an organization in which he was particularly fond of.  Donations can be mailed to Wilson-Griffin Funeral Home, PO Box 217, Ash Grove, MO 65604 and online condolences can be left at www.wilsongriffin.com