Obituary of James "Jim" Crews

“Jim” Crews passed away at the Lloydminster Hospital on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the age of 84 years. Jim leaves to mourn his passing: his children: Don and Tina Crews, Vincent and Linda Crews and Carla and Shawn Batke; grandchildren: Christopher and Larissa Crews, Patrick Batke, Seana Batke, Christie Crews, Ethan Crews, Ashley Leavitt, Madison Crews and Gordon Wallis Crews and numerous other relatives. Jim was predeceased by his wife, Irene, parents, James and Kathleen, brother, John Crews and sister, Laura Graham. The funeral service for Jim Crews was conducted from the Grace United Church, Lloydminster, Alberta on Wednesday, February 10 at 10:00 AM with Reverend Paul DuVal officiating. The eulogy was given by George Wood. The hymns were, “In The Garden” and “The Old Rugged Cross”. The honorary pallbearers were, Bill Gartner, Charlie Seltie and Norman Ferster. The active pallbearers were, James Wich, Don Seltie, Ryan Gartner, Ken Parkins, Lloyd Steinkey, Martin Hanson, Patrick Batke and Christopher Crews. The interment took place at the Lloydminster Cemetery. Donations in memory of Jim Crews may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or Canadian Cancer Society. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements. EULOGY:As Delivered by GEORGE WOOD JAMES ARTHUR CREWS (Jim as many know him) was born in Islay, Alberta on August 22, 1931, to JAMES CREWS and KATHLEEN WRIGHT. He was the younger brother of John and Laura. And eventually the older brother to Bill and Helen. Jim attended school in the Early district until Grade 9. Farmed in the district with the family. He met IRENE ANNIE ALLEN, who was Helen’s music teacher. They dated and eventually married on November 10, 1962. In 1963, he left the farm to start a job in construction in Lloydminster. James and Irene had three children...Donald in 1965, Vince in 1967 and adopted Carla in 1968. He became a journeyman Bricklayer (Mason), eventually starting his own company as a masonry contractor in 1969. He was proud of his construction accomplishments and could point out many buildings around Lloydminster and area that he did the bricks or blocks. He apprenticed a lot of young bricklayers in this area. In the early 1980’s he worked as a weed inspector for the County of Vermilion River and at other odd jobs before returning to bricklaying. In retirement he devoted his time to his rock and gem hobby. He had an opportunity to show me how to split rocks with a large sledge hammer by making a score on the rock every so many inches apart and then hitting it really hard. It worked well for me. He was a good teacher. When the kids were young, he enjoyed traveling with the family for a few weeks each summer. They traveled everywhere from Vancouver Island to Lake of the Woods. He always had time on the weekends to pack up the motor home and go fishing. In his own words he was so “Gosh Dang proud of his Children and Grand-Children.” He often spoke of Donald and the large pumpkins and watermelons his son grew. He said ‘Don obviously knows what he’s doing” and didn’t need any advice from him but he’d give it anyway. He loved to show everyone pictures that he had on his phone or had printed out on paper. I had occasion to come see them with Jim and I too was amazed. Jim told me about the time he was at the lake with the family. He helped Vince make a lure with bottle caps and other junk from the motor home. Jim punched a hole through the bottle caps and Vince strung them on fishing line which was then tied to a stick. Vince casted the ‘home made’ fishing rod from the dock and, wouldn’t you know, he caught a big fish surprising all the other fishermen on the dock. On Carla’s wedding day after spending the morning decorating the car, he drove Carla the 13 km out of town to the wedding site. Carla cautioned her Dad to drive slower as he seemed to be rapidly picked up speed. Jim responded in his fatherly voice saying “Don’t worry about anything. You worry too much.” Before he could finish his sentence, the double wedding heart let loose and covered the windshield of the car. Image the sight of Jim with his head out one side and Carla’s out the other until he could get stopped on the side of the road and could pick up the decorations scattered all over the road. Good thing passers-by were able to help. He loved watching Hockey every Saturday night on TV. And had the opportunity to watch his nephew and in later years his grandson play. He didn’t understand football but still enjoyed watching his grandsons on the field. Jim mentioned that his grand-daughters’ loved to dance, though not his kind of dance, and that they did very well at competitions and festivals. He enjoyed making jewelry pieces for his grandkids, nieces and nephews and was happy a few of his grand-children picked up his love of rock and gems. He loved playing softball. A fond memory was when the Crews Masonry ball team (a team comprised of employees, friends and who-ever would play) entered the Early District ball tournament and FINALLY WON IT ONE YEAR!! Jim loved goose hunting. Especially in later years,he loved going with Len Steward, his neighbour John Wich and basically whoever would go with them. Jim enjoyed square dancing and country music. He loved to socialize and went to dances in the Early district and when he got older he often went to the Legacy Centre. He loved going for coffee with the gang in the Co-op, Arby’s or Murphy’s Place. I met Jim a long time ago but I really got to know him after going for coffee row in the basement of the Co-op. He was always such a gentlemen. He never spoke inappropriately around the ladies or the other gentlemen. When his brother John was in the Islay Hospital, he and I would drive out to seen John together. He always insisted that since I was paying for the gas that he should pay for the lunch. Again he was such a gentlemen. When Jim was in the Hospital, I came to visit and he was always happy to see me no matter how badly the day was going. His Motto was “Do unto others as you would have then do unto you.” One of his greatest inspirations in his life was his wife, Irene. He was friends to many, many people in the community. And I can say that I have had the pleasure of having Jim in my life as a friend. EULOGY: As Delivered by GEORGE WOOD