Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1941
DIED
2021
FUNERAL HOME
James Crutchfield Obituary
New Tazewell - James Pryor Crutchfield, 79, of New Tazewell, passed away Friday, January 29, 2021 at home.
He was born December 8, 1941 in Knoxville, TN. Growing up he lived in Fork Ridge, TN, Harrogate, TN, Coral Gables, FL, and Hazard, KY.
In June 1962 he married Dorthea Ann Cooper in Ft. Lauderdale Beach, FL where her father, Rev. J. Burch Cooper married them.
They moved to Memphis, TN in the fall of 1962 where Jim attended the Southern College of Optometry. After Optometry school, he moved with his young family to New Tazewell, TN where he began his 55-year Optometry practice. Jim was a graduate and 2X football state champion of Hazard, KY high school. He also graduated from Carson-Newman College before being accepted to Optometry school.
Jim loved the Tazewells. He was President of PTA when his children were young, the voice of the Claiborne Co. Blue Devils for 25 years through their high school years and beyond, and always a member and deacon of First Baptist Church New Tazewell, where he supported and served the body and ministries faithfully.
Jim was preceded in death by his mother Leslie Irene Crutchfield and his father Thomas Ezra Crutchfield. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 59 years, Dorthea Ann Cooper Crutchfield; his daughters, Jennifer Crutchfield Mabe and husband James Frederick Mabe, Tazewell, TN and Tracy Crutchfield Watts and husband Robert Gregory Watts, Maryville, TN; his grandchildren, Ann Elizabeth Cole and husband Zachary Tyson Cole, James Cooper Mabe, Leslie Watts Asplund and husband Griffin Carberry Asplund, John Robert Watts and wife Taylor Hayes Watts; and his great-grandchildren, namesake Zachary Pryor Cole and Mabery Ann Cole.
The Celebration of Life will be Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at Fairview Cemetery, New Tazewell, TN at two o'clock in the afternoon.
Pallbearers include James Cooper Mabe, John Robert Watts, Robert Burch Jackson, Philip Cooper Jackson, Henry Guy Jackson III, Robert Lionell White II, Zachary Tyson Cole, Griffin Carberry Asplund, and Michael Minton.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in Jim's honor be made to either:
The Reverend J. Burch and Dorothy Ware Cooper Endowed Scholarship FundFirst Baptist Church New Tazewell
Sunday School Ministry
Carson-Newman University814 Buchanan Road
1646 Russell AvenueNew Tazewell, TN 37825
Jefferson City, TN 37760
Our words are inadequate to express the love and appreciation we are experiencing in the loss of our husband, daddy, uncle, mentor, and friend.
The family lovingly requests everyone in attendance wear a mask.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Crutchfield
Sponsored by Claiborne-Overholt Funeral Home.
3 Entries
Kelly England
April 7, 2021
Dr. Crutchfield was an amazing man! He accepted my whole family as his family. He made us all feel welcome. He was my mothers, mine, and my kids optometrist. When I didn't have insurance and wanted an eye exam, he waived the fee for me. I will never forget his kindness to me as well as my family.
JoAnn Newcomb
March 5, 2021
I am so sorry for your loss. I moved to TN 8 yrs ago, I was in need to find a eye dr. I was directed to Dr Crutchfield. From the first time I met him I knew he was a wonderful man and Dr. he was so friendly and caring he always made time for a conversation and made you feel as you had known him your whole life. He made sure you were happy and satisfied with your time there. I will miss him terribly as I know never will I find a man and Dr as rare and kind as he was to his patients. God bless the family in this time of grief.
Jim Sandefur
February 16, 2021
Dottie, so sorry to hear about Crutch. He was a very good friend and I have lots of fond memories of us at SCO. Wish we could have had more opportunities to see each other over the years
Best to you and your family
Jim Sandefur
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results
Make a Donation
in James Crutchfield's name
Memorial Events
for James Crutchfield
Funeral services provided by:
Claiborne-Overholt Funeral Home1106 Highway 33 South, New Tazewell, TN 37825
How to support James's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor James Crutchfield's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
