James "Jimmie" William Crawford Obituary (1932 - 2018)

James William "Jimmie" Crawford - age 86, passed away Sunday, March 25, 2018 surrounded by his loving family at The Pavilion Senior Living Center in Lebanon, TN following a brave battle with cancer. A native of Lebanon, he was born on February 7, 1932 on Wilson Avenue. Jimmie was preceded in death by his parents Byron B. and Velna Leona Speck Crawford, his wife of 56 years, Maclynn Rose Austin Crawford and his eldest daughter, Debi Lynn Crawford Harston. He is survived by his son James Cary (June) Crawford of Lebanon, TN; daughter, Dana Leigh (Jeff) Stroop of Murfreesboro, TN; son-in-law, Tommy Harston of Antioch, TN; grandchildren, James Bradley Crawford of Wilmington, NC; Christopher Cody(Michelle) Crawford of Hermitage, TN; Kelsey Leigh Stroop of Los Angeles, CA; Kaley Lynn Stroop of Hermitage, TN; great-grandchildren, Presley Ray , Stevie Rose , and Alston James Crawford of Hermitage, TN. Jimmie graduated from Lebanon High School in 1949 and went onto graduate from Tennessee Polytechnical Institute with a BS degree in Chemistry in 1953. He proudly served his country as a member of the US Army Signal Corp and was honorably discharged receiving the rank of Captain. For forty years, Jimmie spent his working career as a devoted employee of The Lebanon Woolen Mill. He was very proud that three generations of Crawford's had been represented at The Mill. That career took he and his family to Westfield, NJ where he worked in the New York City office of The Woolen Mill serving as Vice President of Sales for 25 years. One of the highlights of his life was serving as the President of the NYC Rotary Club in 1973. He was the third President from the Lebanon Woolen Mill to be elected to that high office. The first was Elmer Hahn and the second was Henry Counts. This prestigious organization hosted men such as Mr. James Cash Penny, owner and CEO of Penny's and Dr. Norman Vincent Peale both of whom were close acquaintances and mentors. Jimmie remained a faithful member of the Rotary Club for 51 years. Prior to returning to Lebanon in 1982 he and his family attended The First Baptist Church in Westfield and Terrill Road Baptist Church in Scotchplains, NJ. Jimmie was a longtime member of The First Presbyterian Church of Lebanon where he served as a collector, elder and deacon. He was instrumental in founding and leading the newly formed early morning chapel service. An avid golfer, Jimmie held a lifetime membership to the Lebanon Golf and Country Club. He passed along the love of the game to his children, grand children and great-grandchildren. Jimmie never met a stranger and possessed a smile and positive attitude that was infectious. His kindness and generosity were limitless. All that were lucky enough to have known him knew that Pop-Pop preferred hugs to handshakes and being a giver rather than a receiver. He will surely be missed by all who loved him. A rare jewel and true southern gentleman. A sincere thanks to the extraordinary, compassionate and loving staff of The Pavilion and of Alive Hospice. A celebration of life service will be held April 4, 2018 at 1 p.m. in the Partlow Funeral Chapel Lebanon, TN. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until service time at 1 p.m. Burial to follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Lebanon. Dr. John Cheetham and Rev. Sherard Edington to officiate and Ray Hodges to eulogize. Honorary pallbearers, the Lebanon Noon Rotary Club. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church. PARTLOW FUNERAL CHAPEL is in charge of arrangements. 615-444-7007 OBIT LINE 615-444-7700 www.partlowchapel.com Read More