James Slade Crumpton, Sr.

James Slade Crumpton, Sr., born September 12, 1932, passed away on July 31, 2025. 

Slade was predeceased by his loving wife of 55 years; Shirley Owens Crumpton. Parents Arch Slade & Hannah Bradner Crumpton and brother Bruce Wilmot Crumpton. 

The eldest of four, Slade was born and raised on the family farm in Person County, NC. As president of his high school senior class, Slade won the State debating championship for public speaking which earned him a college scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Graduating with a BA in economics, he married Shirley Owens and entered the business world with his uncle, J.L. Crumpton in 1955. 

Slade had a quiet yet confident personality and strong motivation for achievement. He built a career leading an insurance & financial services company before his retirement as Chairman of CSC Corporation. During those years, he represented many board positions including, Bank of America, UNC Hospitals, Durham Regional, Rex Hospital, Croasdaile Community Health, UNC Board of Visitors, UNC Medical & Dental School Foundations, Trinity UMC and Rotary Club of Durham.

An avid golfer and hunter with his great friends, Slade spent his later years in Florida during the winter and kept his roots to the country during the summers. A gentleman that valued a commitment to work and integrity above all, Slade greatly loved his family and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

He is survived by his daughter Catherine Crumpton of Wilmington, NC, son James Slade Crumpton, Jr. and wife Andrea Kramer Crumpton of Wilmington, NC. Grandchildren, Catherine Angier Stokes & Jacob Wade Ottmann of Castle Rock, CO, Thomas Angier Stokes IV of Steamboat, CO, James Slade Crumpton III and wife Morgan Crowe Crumpton of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Charlotte Rollinson Crumpton & fiancé Laney Glenn Orr IV of Raleigh, Elizabeth Grimes Crumpton of Charlotte, great grandson Barrett Wade Ottmann, Sister Caroline Crumpton Whitt (Martin) of Person County and brother John Carroll Crumpton (Joan) of Chapel Hill, NC. 

A graveside memorial will be held at Chapel Hill Cemetery on August 20, 2025 at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that any gift be made to the Crumpton Scholarship Fund at UNC Chapel Hill. Office of University Development, PO Box 309, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 or made online at https://give.unc.edu/donate?f=658673&p=main