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James McCrea Obituary
October 5, 1940 - September 1, 2022
PIEDMONT, CA - Jim McCrea, 81, resident of Piedmont, formerly of Cuba City, WI, passed away peacefully in Oakland on September 1, 2022, following a nearly yearlong battle with cancer. Born October 5, 1940 in Cuba City WI to Guerdon "Butch" and Sylvia (Lacke) McCrea. Survived by his life partner of 50 years, Gregory L. Jurin, who he married in 2015; his sister, Barbara (Ron) McDermott, of Dubuque, IA; nephews, Brad (Brittney) McDermott of Glenview, IL and their children, Lucy, Tate, and Mae; Scott (Catie) McDermott of Atlanta, GA and their children, Jack and Finn; and niece, Sara (Mark) Kasemeier of Dubuque, IA and their children, Charlie and Beau. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Karen McCrea.
Jim graduated from Cuba City High School (1958) and Marquette University, Milwaukee (1962) to enlist in the US Air Force as a Captain. Jim continued to serve in the Air Force 8 years then moved to the San Francisco Bay Area and spent the majority of his career in Human Resources within a wide variety of businesses, primarily banking, retiring in 2003. During his military and professional careers, Jim developed a love of travel, and was fortunate to travel extensively during his retirement years. He was the appointed organizer of family reunions, and he enjoyed returning to Cuba City for many high school reunions.
Jim was such a wonderful man of lively faith and someone passionate about social, political, and environmental justice. He died on the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend his Vigil Friday, September 23rd 7pm and funeral liturgy and reception 10am, Saturday September 24th both at Corpus Christi Church, 322 Saint James Drive, Piedmont, CA. For those in Wisconsin, private services October 10th in Cuba City. Internment at a later date at St. Rose Cemetery, Cuba City.
Remembrances may be made in Jim's name to the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, at their Motherhouse, 585 Co Rd Z, Sinsinawa, WI 53824, or charity of your choice. Deer Creek Funeral Services (510) 317-7890
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James McCrea
6 Entries
D and D
February 15, 2025
To Gregory...sending love! The Kaschaks
Patrick McArron
September 23, 2022
You will not be forgotten.
The Kaschaks
September 20, 2022
We send love and condolences to Greg and to the McCrea family, as well as Jim´s friends. We will remember this intelligent, lively and kind man always.
Dan and Diane KASCHAK
Knoxville TN
Robert Foote Havens
September 19, 2022
What I hold in my heart regarding the close friendship I shared with Jim was his real quality of integrity, and how he treated all fairly and expected the same.
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