James "Jim" Benton Crismore

On February 15th at Noon the funeral may be viewed here: https://www.facebook.com/share/15jUJsTFy6/

Mr. Crismore, do you remember me?” This is a phrase the Crismore familyttps would become very familiar with over the years. With 40 years of teaching experience, it was not uncommon for Jim to run into former students on a regular basis. Even as far away as Scotland, which happened once during a summer trip.

Born in Indianapolis, Indiana on March 1st, 1959, to parents Francis “Cris” and Beryl Crismore, the middle brother of William and Thomas Crismore. Showing a passion for music at an early age, he would go on to study Music Education at Ball State University which would lead to 40 years of teaching music at Craig Middle School, Fall Creek Valley Middle School, and later Zionsville West Middle School. He later went on to get his master’s in Counselor Education from IUPUI, believing this would make him a better teacher. He was married to Lisa (Graves) Crismore for 40 years, they had two daughters together, Bethany and Sarah.

Jim was the living embodiment of “Be Yourself,” a truly unique character who could only be JIM, he knew no other way. From his signature greeting of a magic trick to his never-ending amount of dad jokes, Jim could not only teach music to a room of students, but he could also command any room he was in. Just ask any waiter that met him. “I’m Jim and I’ll be eating dinner here tonight” was a signature hello line from Jim. That takes both confidence and humor to deliver. Jim left an impression on everyone who got a chance to spend time with him.

But music was truly Jim’s love language and it’s how he connected with people in his daily life. Jim simply wanted to share his gift of music with as many people as he could. And as all his former students will tell you, he accomplished his goal.

Jim shared his gifts for teaching through the Indiana State School Music Association as a Freelance Adjudicator and Paige’s Music as an Instrument Advisor. His passion for teaching music didn’t stop there as he worked at Faith Presbyterian Church as their music Director, directed the Chanters Men’s Chorus of the Indianapolis Shriners, and played violin for the Scottish Rite Orchestra.

A man of many interests and hobbies, he was an active member of the Brownsburg Freemasons. He enjoyed traveling, he achieved his goal of visiting all fifty states, he biked along the Danube River, and played orchestral music with his daughters across Italy. In his down time, you could often find him reading, while bird watching and enjoying a good glass of dry red wine or bourbon. 

He is preceded in death by his mother Beryl Crismore (Wolma), his aunt Mary Ann (Bowen) Crismore, and grandparents Frank and Mary (Thomas) Crismore and John and Zora (Webb) Wolma.

He is survived by his father Francis “Cris” Crismore, his wife Lisa (Graves) Crismore, his brothers William “Bill” (Lori) Crismore and Thomas “Tom” Crismore, his daughters Bethany (Richard) Crismore-Arredondo and Sarah (Ian) Crismore Saroyan, his step grandchildren Marley and Dylan Saroyan, his nephews Jeremy, Jordan, Stewart, Elliott, Austin, Adam and Nicholas “Nick,” and his niece Erin, his uncle John Crismore, his cousins Rachel, Nancy and Jennie. German exchange daughter, Rebekka (Matthias) Hettig, grandsons, Christian and Julian Hettig. African adopted children, Galleh Thoronka and Mamudu Bah.

Visitation will be held at John Knox Presbyterian Church, located at 3000 N. High School Road, on February 14, 2025 5-7 pm and February 15, 2025 10 am-12 pm to be followed by a funeral service at 12 pm with lunch to follow. There will be a presentation by the Scottish Rite Chanters on Friday at 7pm followed by a ceremony of the Masonic Funeral Rites.

Any monetary gifts can be given to the Jim Crismore Foundation to help fund the rental and purchase of instruments for Zionsville Community Schools and Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township for students who cannot afford them. Please make your check out to either school system and put “Jim Crismore Foundation’ in the memo line.