[Graveside words of remembrance spoken on a chilly fall morning in San Angelo]

In West Texas terminology, James Crimm was a "fine fellow"!  He cherished his family and did his best to support and care for his sweet wife Betty and two sons, Butch and Jim. His door was always open to someone that needed help or a place to crash for a few days until a paycheck arrived.  James's gentle nature was responsible for a sizeable inventory of friends, all of whom he treated with great respect and dignity.  He appreciated and was at his best in the outdoor world that the Good Lord gave us.  Like I said, James Crimm was a "fine fellow"!

As I'm sure most of you know, James and my dad, Bruce Fly, worked together at Tucker Drilling Company for many, many years.  At some point in the late 60s (I think it was), they became ranching partners and kicked off a unique relationship that lasted for the rest of their lives.  In the beginning, James was savvy about sheep ... and Dad was pretty good with cattle.  Over the years the knowledge sort of leveled out between ‘em and they actually made a few bucks while enjoying what I think meant more to them than just about anything outside of family.

Years later, when they retired from Tucker, they shifted from ranching to farming ... this time doing contract hay work for other folks.  This was supposed to be a fun way for them to “slow down a little” and not be so consumed with work.  If you knew either one of ‘em, you know that was the farthest thing from the truth!  I think they plowed and chiseled and raked and sowed and baled 95% of the land mass in the Tom Green County area!

Let me tell ya ... these two guys were a pair!  They were as different as day and night ... James being the easy going, more quiet type while Dad dealt with a bad temper and a relentless drive to cram two days work into one.  Working with ‘em could be a real test at times!  As they grew older together, they slowly became like Walter Matthau & Jack Lemmon in the movie “Grumpy Old Men” ... some days they were harmonious friends getting a job done while other days you'd think they didn't even like each other.  They often referred to each other in less than admirable language.  At various times, they both got blamed by the other for unavoidable events.  Yet, they had a relationship that just worked, and although neither would ever admit to it, I think they loved each other like brothers.

The material trappings in life never meant much to James.  I can remember only a few such things that he held in high esteem: a good horse capable of carrying a big man a long way, a dependable, powerful pickup and a straight-shootin' pistol.  He was partial to a black hat and most of the time he'd have a pinch of cowboy candy in his lip and a little snake bite medicine under the truck seat.

Although both James and my Dad eventually wound up with office jobs at Tucker, they both lived for 5:00 PM ... particularly in the spring and summer time, when they'd head for the ranch to manage the irrigation system, feed, move or doctor livestock or just to “check on things”.  They were truly in their element down there!

I'll miss James Crimm and always thank the Good Lord that I had the opportunity to know him.

Rest in Peace, my dear friend.

You'll always have a place in my heart!

 Butch, My heart goes out to you and your family in the loss of your father.  I worked with James twenty years at Tucker Drilling and I knew him well. He was more of a "Grandpa" to me than a supervisor.  They don't make men like James, Bruce, Raymond, Dick, Dude & Doc anymore. They were the real deal-knew the oil business inside & out.  They were tough as iron but caring and quick with a helping hand-or a prank or joke! James always had a minute over coffee to see how the family was doing or discuss ranching and horses with me. We don't know exactly what heaven is like but James and his old buddies are probably trying to decide if they are going to punch a hole in the clouds or saddle up and ride. There is a tear in my eye and a smile in my heart for having known your Dad. God bless.

Butch, so sorry to hear about James, he was my little Sweetheart and was very much loved by John and I.  I was always glad to see him and hear him calling me sugars.  He is at peace now with your Mom and others.  God be with y'all through this time.

Butch so sorry to hear of your loss. God bless you all and give you comfort and peace.  Glenda Williams Jones

What a sweet sweet man.  When I went to work at Tucker Drilling Co., Larry Tucker, James and Bruce Fly were so wonderful to me (at a very hard time in my life). James took me under his wing and would take me to rigs and let me watch them drill, run pipe, etc.  It made so much more sense to me watching it actually being done..When I would bill out the drilling charges...I actually knew what it meant.  I went to school with Butch all 12 years so I have known the family for some time.  My thoughts and prayers are with you Butch and your family.

Butch....I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your father!  I remember him and he was just a great man full of wit and wisdom.  I'll be thinking and praying for your family at this time.

OBITUARY

James Arthur Crimm

6 April, 1924 – 9 November, 2013

Johnson's Funeral Home

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