James Robert Crump

James Robert Crump (Jim, J.R.) was born on the high plains of Laramie, WY on September 29, 1944. He was welcomed into the world by his parents James Carter Crump and Anita Mae Crump. Before he began school the family relocated to Casper, Wyoming. The family would soon grow and his siblings Anita, Devon, Kim, and Thane joined him. James attended school at Grant Elementary, Dean Morgan Junior High, and Natrona County High School where he graduated in 1963.

During his childhood he enjoyed baseball, but as he grew older his primary focus shifted to motorcycles and cars. He began riding and racing motorcycles when he was 14 years old. Throughout his teens and twenties he competed across the western United States in scramble races, hare and hound races, and hill climbs. He was also given the opportunity to race cars and competed at Continental Divide Raceway in Castle Rock, Colorado. During this time period he also owned a Corvette and Oldsmobile 442.

James loved talking to anyone and everyone. This made him a natural salesman. After high school he moved to Laramie, Wyoming and began working as a pharmaceutical salesman. Due to his knowledge of narcotics he assisted law enforcement by working undercover to combat the sale of illegal drugs. In Laramie, he met Lila Ridley and they were married on May 9, 1969. They had their first child Jenifer in Laramie in 1971. In 1975, they moved to Casper.

On their return to Casper, James began working in industrial sales catering to the oil and gas and mining industries. In 1977, their son Alex was born. James continued his career with Industrial Bearing Supply and later Moore Bearing. He traveled throughout the state ensuring his customers received exceptional service. At one time this included hand carrying a vital component by plane to New Orleans so that it could be sent to an offshore drilling rig. James and Lila welcomed their second son Evan into the world in 1985 and their third son Cabot was born in 1989. In 1994, James transitioned into restaurant and janitorial supply sales. He remained in that field until his retirement in 2008.

Throughout his life James was active in his community. In the 1970s he coached a Babe Ruth Baseball team in Casper. At the time no girls played in the Babe Ruth League in Casper. The first girl to play in the league played on James’ team. He was a member of the City of Casper Zoning Board in the 1980s. He taught Sunday school for many years at the Nazarene Church in Casper and was an active member of the Gideons. While his children were active in sports he coached t-ball and soccer. After retirement he served on the precinct committee for the Democratic Party and was an election observer.

James loved his granddaughters and was always excited when they visited him. His hobbies and interests were reading, oldies music, Formula One and sports car racing, major league baseball, and watching Jeopardy and MASH. He passed on his love for these pastimes to his children.

James cared for his family deeply and would regularly stop by his father’s store to check-in and assist. His children have fond memories of playing catch with him in the backyard and shooting off fireworks on the Fourth of July. Later in his life when his health had deteriorated his son Cabot cared for him so he could continue to live at home.

James passed peacefully in his sleep on October 4, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents (James and Anita Mae), his wife (Lila), and a brother in law (Steve). He is survived by his daughter Jenifer (Mark); sons, Alex, Evan (Hannah), and Cabot; granddaughters, Meghan (Jeremiah), Ava, and Madelyn; and great-grandchildren, James, Miah, and Malia.

A service is not planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Central Wyoming Hospice.