Edgar Michael "Mike" Cromer

Edgar Michael Cromer “Mike,” 81, of Salem, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by family on Wednesday June 22, 2022, after a long, well fought battle with dementia.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar Jesse Cromer and Alma Frazier Cromer.

Mike is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Pamela Robinson Cromer; his daughters, Michelle Cromer Smith (Victor) and Amy Cromer Dixon (Jason); 3 grandchildren, Kate, Joseph, and Jailyn; brother, Steve Cromer (Cathy); nephews, Steve (Jessica) and Zach (Tyler); as well as many other family members and friends.

Mike never met a stranger. It was always jokingly said within the family that he knew someone everywhere he went. He had a gift of making people feel welcome. A man of many talents, Mike could fix or build anything; was a gifted self-taught mechanic, and an amazing organizer. He put all of these talents to good use during his life and gave everything 100%.

Mike's love for cars became evident at a very young age as it was then when his tinkering began. He won many trophies for drag racing in Roanoke and New London in his early days, as well as showing classic Opels that he restored in his later years.

While cars and mechanics were certainly his passion, Mike always found time for the kids in his community. As President of Salem Little League for many years, Mike dedication was recognized for his work with the youth of Salem in 2017, when he received the Volunteer Award and was inducted into the Salem Roanoke Valley Baseball Hall of Fame.
He was a longtime member of Bethel Baptist Church and served in many capacities including Sunday school teacher, Deacon (Chairman), bus committee, and was very active in the Baptist Men’s group.

After 38 years at Graham White as a Sales and Service engineer, Mike retired in June 2015. He enjoyed talking with his customers, making new friends wherever he traveled, and working on locomotives.

A devoted family man, he was a faithful and loving husband and father. Mike took great pride in his children and grandchildren’s accomplishments, supported them in every way, and never missed an opportunity to make them smile.

As a family, we would like to express our appreciation for the love, care, and friendship given to Mike and all of us during the last part of his journey by “our village”: The Staff at Promedica (Heartland) Hospice, especially Latifah, Jesse, Daniel, Penny, Tammy, and Kelly; and our good friend Stewart Bruce who went above and beyond to make Mike’s life and ours easier, more enjoyable and fulfilling to the end.

Mike will be missed by all as a truly great man but we know that he has been made whole again. His lord said to him, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 30, 2022, from 1 until 3 pm at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, in Salem. A celebration of Mike’s life will be conducted at 3pm on Thursday directly following the visitation.

Online condolences may be expressed to the Cromer family by visiting www.johnmoakey.com