Roy Crim, cherished husband, father, son and friend, was born in Jacksonville, TX, December 29, 1916, and was raised by his loving mother, Eleanor Josephine "Nellie" Crim. He died peacefully on Saturday, August 8, 2009. Roy is predeceased by Pearl, his adoring wife of 67 years, and is survived by his five children and their spouses: Dr. Charles and Ann Crim of Beaumont, David and Marilyn Crim of McLewis, Camilla and Charles Westrup of Houston, Pamela and Jeff MacDonald of College Station, and Cheryl Crim-Morgan and Ken Morgan of Houston.
His grandchildren Melissa Crim of Murfreesboro, TN; Damon Crim of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Ashley Boyd of Nashville, TN; Dr Randall Crim of Fort Worth, TX; April Purgahn of Orange, TX; Laura Crim of New York, NY; Caroline Crim of New York, NY; Scott Swan of Irvine, CA; Todd Swan of Houston, TX; Heather Horak of Cypress, TX; Ryan MacDonald of College Station, and Sophie Morgan of Houston, TX, will miss "Granddad" very much. He is survived by 11 great-grandchildren. The grandchildren fondly remember his emphasis on higher education and his telling each one to "get all the education you can."
Roy was the youngest of 12 siblings and is survived by his sister, Evelyn Witte of Dallas, TX.
Moving to Bridge City, TX in 1946, Roy was instrumental in birthing civic causes in this emerging town. He was on the original board that oversaw the founding of Orange Memorial Hospital and was instrumental in organizing and managing Bridge City's first youth baseball league. It was his pleasure to organize and help construct the first marquee for Bridge City High School, in 1961. BCHS's first gymnasium was built through volunteer labor, of which Roy was involved.
He was a supervisor at Texaco where he retired after 43 years of service. Roy took a personal interest in those with whom he worked. He was a good friend to others and deeply valued friendships.
Being a lover of nature, he enjoyed working on his tractor, and many people affectionately say that he leveled and cleared most of Bridge City. He and his buddy, Roy M. Hatton, often helped each other level lots and bale hay. As a rosarian, Roy had a beautiful garden. One wonders how many thousands of roses were cut and arranged by Pearl to share with others along the way.
Roy leaves a legacy of integrity, generosity and wisdom, for which his children are most grateful. They compare him to a James Dobson style of fathering with a little John Wayne mixed in. He was a helper of mankind and never passed up an opportunity to make another's life better, giving time, money or work to those in need. He always gave more than he took.
Pearl and Roy Crim were revered by their children, who received the best examples of showing mercy and love to their fellowman.
Roy lived as a Christian and was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Orange, TX.
Proud to be of a generation that spanned doing homework by the light of a kerosene lamp to a computer driven era with rockets taking men to the moon, Roy spoke of this often.
We wish to thank all of his caregivers, and especially his final caregivers, Paula and Eddie Carter, along with their children and grandchildren, who adopted our father as their own.
Pallbearers are Dr. Charles Crim, David Crim, Scott Swan, Todd Swan, Dr Randall Crim and Ryan MacDonald. Honorary pallbearers are Jeff MacDonald, Ken Morgan, Charles Westrup, Kenneth Dupuis and Stanley Boullion.
In lieu of flowers, you may send love gifts to First Presbyterian Church, 902 Green Ave., Orange, TX, 77630, or Orange Christian Services, 2518 W Park Ave, Orange, TX 77630… or Roy would have loved for you to help someone in need.
The family will be receiving friends from 6pm-8pm on Friday, August 14 at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City.
Funeral services will be at First Presbyterian Church, Orange, on Saturday, August 15, at 10a.m.