James N. Crabb

James Newton Crabb was born on April 20, 1927, to Stella Seidensticker Crabb and Cecil Duane Crabb at Coleman Hospital in Indianapolis. He attended Arsenal Technical High School, graduating in January 1945. He joined the US Navy and served aboard the troop carrier USS General H.W. Butner through the end of World War 2, bringing home soldiers and Marines from the Pacific theater.

After the war, he attended Butler University and then transferred to Purdue University. His summer job, working on lumber camps in Idaho, proved pivotal. He graduated from Purdue in 1952 with a degree in forestry and began what would become a nearly 40-year career in the paper and printing industries, starting as a salesman for the Chatfield Paper Corporation, which later became a division of Mead Corporation.

Jim wasn’t content to simply sell paper. He educated himself in every aspect of the graphic arts business, from the forest to the paper mill to the design work to the final printed product. Along the way, he became a hobby letterpress printer. A consummate craftsman, he was admired by colleagues, many of whom became good friends. And Jim could identify every tree (English common name and Latin genus and species), as his children and grandchildren can affirm.

While Jim was still at Butler, he attended a sorority exchange dinner and met Nancy Jean Sines, then a pledge. He inquired of his sister, a senior in the sorority, if Nancy were dating anyone. She was, but she quickly decided it was time to date around. The pair married in March 1952. He was a wonderful father and husband, very involved with his children. He coached Little League, cheered for his children in academic, athletic, and equestrian activities, and took them fishing, golfing, and boating. Boating and fishing also figured in many family vacations on lakes in Michigan and Ontario.

Jim and Nancy enjoyed a vibrant social life, which often revolved around playing cards (poker or bridge). The house was filled with sound of friends laughing and shuffling cards. Jim printed the roster for his poker group, the “Darktown Poker Club.” On fishing trips, Jim was a formidable euchre player.

Jim Crabb, a man with a spring in his step and an insatiable curiosity, spent 98 years on the planet, enriching the lives of family and friends. He is survived by his beloved wife of 73 years, Nancy; sons David (Ellen), Daniel (Sherri), Mark (Amy), Michael (Kara), and daughter Julia (Chris); twelve grandchildren; and fourteen great-grandchildren, all of whom felt blessed to have had him in their lives.

Jim was a long-time member of the Indianapolis Service Club, Northminster Presbyterian Church and later Zionsville Presbyterian Church, where he served as a deacon and elder and as a member of the Great Banquet Community. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Zionsville Great Banquet. A service will be held on Friday June 20 at Zionsville Presbyterian Church with calling from 1:00 to 2:30, immediately followed by the funeral service and a private interment at Crown Hill Cemetery.