James Patterson "Jim" CRONE

CRONE, James Patterson "Jim," 92, of Richmond, Virginia, husband, brother, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, departed this Earth to enter the loving arms of his Heavenly Father on Tuesday, January 1, 2013. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Patricia; his brother, Glenn Crone (Sybel); and his four children, Colleen Moore, James Crone II "Buzz," Cathleen Crone and Carolyn Crone. He proudly is the grandfather of Angela Sykes (Stephen), Nathan Moore and Carson Moore and the great-grandfather of Carter Sykes and Charlotte Sykes. Born on January 24, 1920 in upstate New York, he grew up traveling with his father and mother, James Murray Crone and Inez Antoinette Patterson Crone, learning about engineering, building and designing and worked within the realm of fine and visual arts. A World War II veteran, he enlisted in the U.S. Army as Orderly for General Jacob L. Devers, being selected for his excellent marksmanship. He was appointed leader of Musical Events for the Armed Forces. After being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, he began to pursue a career in the Musical Arts. Endeavoring into Music Studies, he graduated from Westminster Choir College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Music. He was employed in Richmond, Virginia as Music Director at Northminster Baptist Church. As Richmond Rotarian he realized a perfect attendance record of 44 years. As founding member of Virginia Train Collectors and Antique Toy Collectors of America, he attained many beloved friends and managed great fellowship through love, common interest, appreciation and passion for aged and seasoned treasures. In 1957 he became the 236th member of Train Collectors Association which currently is in excess of 60,000 members nationwide. Working during the 1960's as sales representative for Schulmerich Carillons, he became interested in Handbells as Musical instruments and formed Malmark, Inc. with developer and designer Jake Malta. Before they had the product manufactured, he successfully contracted five clients for Handbell Sets. A memorial service will be held 12:30 p.m. Friday, January 4, 2013 at Lakeside United Methodist Church, 2333 Hilliard Road, Richmond, Va. 23228, (804)266.7016 and will be presided by the Reverend Laura Dervishian Inscoe, Rector of Saint John's Episcopal Church, Richmond, Va. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in James Patterson Crone's name to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Avenue Richmond, Va. 23228. Burial will be private.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.