BROWNS STORE—Jimmie Bryan Crumley died on Tuesday, December 30, 2025.
On March 22, 1940, Jim was born at home in Dooley, Texas. He was the oldest of seven siblings, including Dorothy, Jonnie, Lonnie, Elton, Randy and Phillip.
Randy is the last surviving sibling. He is also survived by his wife, Patricia De Groot, who resides near Browns Store; Deryl Crumlely (Pamela); and DeLanea Crumley Baker. Jim also adopted three stepchildren, Debra, Jeffrey and Donna Crumley.
Professionally, Jim had quite a diverse career. He worked as an aircraft mechanic, notably on Air Force 1. Later on, he co-owned an aircraft company in Mena, Arkansas, where they serviced private planes. Jim was a master electrician, master plumber and certified welder. Additionally, he had a tenure with Texas Instruments and worked with seismic trucks searching for oil in several countries in the Middle East.
In the 1980s, Jim ventured into the jewelry business, where he cut stones, designed and crafted jewelry. His creations won him first place awards at the Texas State Fair.
Jim was a missionary at heart. He volunteered his skills in South America, Africa and Israel. He met Patricia De Groot at the Tel Aviv Airport in Israel. They were each volunteering at Blossoming Rose, a 55-acre park in the Arava Desert. After that stint of three months at the Park, their relationship continued between Texas and Wisconsin. After proposing on one knee during a visit to Wisconsin, Jim and Pat were married December 20, 2016. They moved to Virginia in 2019 and continued volunteering in Israel until COVID.
Gardening and working with plants was a joy for Jim. He pushed a fig branch in the ground and it bore fruit the same year. He made wine from the grapes and figs he grew. Between his workshop and garden, any time that was left was spent on reading, surfing the internet to view countries and his prayer time. He enjoyed playing cribbage and learned bridge during COVID. Because of his often and continuous work with chemicals, Jim developed idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He died at home sitting in his favorite chair with Hospice there to help.
There will be a Memorial Service for Jim at St. Mary’s Episcopal, Fleeton at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 24, with the Rev. William Stratford-Whittaker presiding. Typical of Jim who always gave of himself, he has donated his body to research.
