He was born Jan. 22, 1920, in Greenup, Ky., to the late Harry Sturgis Crump and Lona Jackson Crump. He was the eldest of 12 children. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Ashland, Ky., in 1938.
He was inducted into the U.S. Army on June 30, 1942, and served until Jan. 21, 1946. He did a tour of combat in the European American Theater. He was injured in Germany, spending four months in the hospital. His decorations and citations include the American Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, EAME Theater Ribbon with five bronze stars and the World War II Victory Medal.
On April 27, 1946, he was united in marriage with Faye Juanita Keels of Blackfork, Ohio, and he became a lifelong resident of the Blackfork community. Jim, as he was known to family and friends, became a member of the Union Baptist Church, where he was a beloved member and dedicated deacon.
Jim worked for Cambria Clay Products in Oak Hill, Ohio, and later he went to work at Harbison Walker Plant of Portsmouth, Ohio, where he retired. Jim was a volunteer firefighter for the Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department. He was instrumental in organizing the fire department and served as fire chief.
He served as president of the southeastern Ohio branch of the NAACP, was a member of the state executive board of the NAACP and was a lifetime member of the organization. He was also a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans.
Jim was proud of his Native American Indian ancestry and was a member of the Tutelo Saponi Tribal Nation.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry Crump Sr., and Iona Jackson Crump; two brothers, Carl Crump and Harry Crump Jr.; and three sisters, Treva Rose Lee, Connie Clayton and Frances (Patsey) Scott. Also preceding him in death were his in-laws, Cash Keels and Katherine Keels; and two sisters-in-law, Ida Keels Long and Fairy Jean Keels Crump.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Faye (Keels) Crump; three brothers, Thurman (Grace) Crump, Lloyd Joseph (Virginia) Crump and Clarence Raymond (Hailey) Crump; four sisters, Ethyl Mae Cosby, Louis Hawkins, Dorothy Moss and Sharon (Robert) Pinkney; a niece they raised as a daughter, Vikki Haithack; "grandsons," A.J. and James Sawyer, and a "granddaughter," Autumn Rikki Lee Haithack; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Jim was loved by all who knew him. He was always ready to extend a hand to those in need. He loved his church, his community, his family, his friends and above all, he loved and trusted in God.
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