James C. Crabtree, 97, of Elkhart, passed away Wednesday evening, May 29, 2019 at the Center for Hospice Care, South Bend, Indiana.
Funeral service will be 2:00 PM, Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at Calvary Baptist Church, with the Reverend Todd Moore officiating. Burial, with Military Honors, will follow in the church cemetery.
He was born on March 10, 1922 in Moore County, North Carolina to the late Andrew J. and Sarah J. (Sheffield) Crabtree. James married Josephine G. Brown on July 8, 1949. Surviving is his wife of 69 years, Josephine, two sons, Johnnie F. (Phyllis A.) Crabtree, Roy T. Crabtree; two grandsons, Chad M. Crabtree and Bryan S. (Alisha D.) Crabtree; 3 great grandchildren, Christian S. Crabtree, Adrienne L. Crabtree and Noelle E. Crabtree; and his brother Paul Curtis Crabtree, survive him as well.
In addition to his parents, a grandson Noah B. Crabtree and brothers Jesse B. Crabtree, Walter Clarence Crabtree, Charles Hazel Crabtree, William Marvin Crabtree; and sisters, Lillie M. Crabtree, Ruby L. Crabtree and Glennie J. Crabtree, preceded him in death.
James and Josephine have called Elkhart their home since 1958. James retired in 1988, after working as a technician for 25 years for GTE which became Verizon.
He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during WWII on the USS Drew (APA-162) from 1942 until his honorable discharge in 1945. James enjoyed fishing, antiques, gardening, vacationing and going to auctions. James was born a workaholic and could fix just about anything he put his mind too. As his sons, and family, we are very grateful for the foundation of life that our parents laid down for us.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM on Monday, June 3, 2019 at Kennedy Funeral Home.
Indiana arrangements for James are under the care of Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart.
Kennedy Funeral Home is serving the Crabtree family.
Online condolences may be sent to pinesfunerals.com or www.billingsfuneralhome.com
