Allan K. Crooks

Allan K. Crooks, age 60, of Wausau died on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital after a 2 1/2 year battle with kidney cancer. 
 
Al was born on March 5,1962 in Wausau to the late Eugene and Carol Crooks (Klieber). 
He considered himself an entrepreneur, owning several different businesses. Most recently he owned and operated Grand Valley Adventures Paintball, and Grandview Storage. He enjoyed all outdoor activities. Most recently Al, Jeannie, family and friends spent and cherished time at their cabin in New Wood. They would go hunting, fishing and ride the side-by-sides on the open trails. He spent a lot of time last summer golfing with his family and friends.  Al was also an avid downhill skier. He was a professional ski instructor at the highest level. He was active with the Ski For Youth program as well as working with Jerry Wunsch and the Circle of Friends Foundation, which provided opportunities for underprivileged kids to learn how to ski. He was so excited to see his grandsons Logan and Rhett get out on the slopes and enjoy the sport he loved so much. He was always known as coach Al. Anyone who was lucky enough to really know Al has learned something important from him. He really was a coach, not just in the sports he loved, but a coach of life, as he knew the right way to live. Al was a great father, son, brother, friend, and husband. He will be missed by all that knew him but will live on through his lessons.