James R. Crabtree

July 11, 1934 - October 29, 2010 Loving husband, family man, and all-around good guy, Jim Crabtree, died Friday, October 29, 2010, of heart failure. Jim was born in Oakland, CA and was raised in Berkeley, CA. After graduating from Berkeley High School in 1952, Jim started his career at Standard Oil, where he worked until he was drafted into the army in 1957. After fulfilling his draft obligation in Fort Lewis, WA, Jim married Lois Hauch and started a new career in computer programming at GM in Oakland. In 1963, Jim transferred to the new GM manufacturing plant in Fremont, CA, where he stayed until he married Marilyn and accepted a promotion to the Fairfax, KS plant in 1981. Jim and Marilyn spent the next 16 years in the Kansas City, KS area and made many wonderful friends. After Jim's retirement in 1992, Jim and Marilyn returned to California, where they enjoyed frequent visits with their grandchildren, traveling the world, golfing, and making more dear friendships. After Jim's diagnosis of leukemia in 1999, Jim and Marilyn became active volunteers with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). Jim volunteered as an honoree and participant with the LLS Team in Training fundraising program. In 2001, Jim and Marilyn completed the San Diego Rock 'n Roll Marathon. For their efforts, they raised over $6,000 to help fight blood cancers and related diseases. Jim loved and delighted in his family and friends. He inspired us with his kind words, funny anecdotes, practical nature, and generous spirit. Jim is survived and missed by his wife Marilyn Crabtree; daughter Liana Crabtree (Martin Won), step-daughter Martha Carpenter (Paul Carpenter), step-son George Kirby, step-son Jim Kirby (Toshiko Kaneda); grandchildren and step-grandchildren Jasmine Won, Athena Won, Cassandra Osegueda, Kristen Osegueda, Courtney Osegueda, Koji Kirby and Kenji Kirby; former wife Lois Crabtree; sister-in-law Elaine Winters, brothers-in-law David Britt (Lindy Britt) and Paul Burger; and many loving nieces and nephews. Jim is preceded in death by step-daughter Laurie Osegueda, sister-in-law Kay Burger, and brothers Charles, Clifford, Irvin, and Kenneth. The family thanks everyone at Sutter VNA & Hospice for the support they provided that allowed Jim to live and die on his own terms at home. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 5, 2010, at Daniels Chapel of the Roses in Santa Rosa. To remember Jim, the family encourages everyone to share a kind word with a loved one. The family also encourages donations to Sutter VNA & Hospice (www.suttervna.org) and the Children's Museum of Sonoma County (www.childrensmuseumnb.org). DANIELS CHAPEL OF THE ROSES 525-3730