DWIGHT O. CRIM
Dwight Crim, 91, of Kilgore, formerly of Anderson, Indiana, died Saturday, February 13, 2016 in Kilgore, Texas.
He was born June 28, 1924 in Shoals, Indiana. Dwight was a 1941 graduate of Shoals High School, where he was class president, a 1945 graduate of Purdue University with a degree in Electrical Engineering and worked at Purdue University radio station WBAA. His interest in electricity was fostered by his father, Audrene Crim. Mr. Crim was an Engineer in the Product Engineering Laboratory at Delco Remy for 40 years where his inventions resulted in several patents for General Motors Corporation. He was distinguished at GM by being granted a single inventor patent. His career spanned vacuum tube to transistor, slide rule to computer, mechanical to solid state. In the 60’s his laboratory helped develop the alternator found today in each of our cars.
Mr. Crim was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ. Mr. Crim was a founding member of Hillcrest Church of Christ and Lindberg Road Church of Christ in Anderson where he served as Elder for both congregations. He was a founder of Anderson Christian School and a school board member and president.
Civic involvement included the Noon Exchange Club, the Eastside Community Club and served on the Boy Scout Council. Mr. Crim was a Precinct Committeeman in Anderson for 28 years. In 1946 he obtained an Amateur Radio license and assigned the call sign W9PFF. Through the 50’s and 60’s he was a member Madison county Indiana Civil Defense helping establish a radio network for disaster and emergency communication.
Music was a lifelong interest starting with piano lessons from his mother, Io Crim, family singing and church singing. In high school and college he played trumpet and sang in choir. He was a member of the Purdue All-American Marching band from 1941 – 1945. During his career years he taught himself how to play organ, entertaining his family on many evenings. He was a member of the Delco Remy Barbershop Chorus and taught himself arrangement in Barbershop style. One of his arrangements, The Beatles “Something”, was sung at many Anderson weddings. He was an early adopter of dubbing and made many recordings singing each of the four harmonies.
Photography was another lifelong interest passed on from his mother. Father-in-law, Harry Nissen, introduced Mr. Crim to Kodachrome film and together they enjoyed learning its idiosyncrasies. Most of his archive images are transparencies captured with manual settings.
After the death of Melba Crim in June 2015, Dwight moved to Kilgore to be close to his daughter Vivian. He resided at Arabella of Kilgore and was lovingly cared for and welcomed there till his death. He was called Commodore by a new friend he met there, Gore Kemp, who told the story of his Army unit during World War II being recused by "those Purdue Boys." He was honored to have Mr. Crim as a friend.
Mr. Crim was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Audrene O. Crim of Shoals, IN, a brother and sister-in-law Audrene Crim Jr. and Lousie of Shoals, IN. His brother Duane M Crim of Odessa, FL, sister and brother -in-law Violette M Schreiber and Benton Schreiber of Columbus, IN, sister and brother-in-law Lavonne Thompson and Fred Thompson, his wife of 50 years, Helen Nissen Crim in 1996 and Melba King Crim in 2015 (18 years married).
He is survived by his children, Wendell (Eva) Crim of Seabeck, Washington, Vivian Ann (Ty) Sharp of Kilgore, Texas, Rich (Karen) Crim of Clemmons, North Carolina; stepchildren, Donetta (Terry) McKinnon of Pendleton, Barry (Becky) King of Anderson, Rebecca King of Anderson, Tricia (Michael) Gale of Colorado Springs, CO, Cathy (Nick) Kirk of Fishers, IN, Julie (Stan) Clark of Lapel; sisters, Aloha King of Freemont, CA, and Ioma Willis of Marion, IN; eighteen grandchildren, Zachary Sharp, Mackenzie Cheman, Evan Crim and Hannah Crim (twins), Christi Thompson, Kevin Thompson, Kelli Whitehead, Robin Heasley, Tiffany Longstreth, Brady King, Hillary Connolly, Katie Driml, Abby Kirk, Olivia Kirk, Jackson Kirk, Nathan Clark, Nolan Clark and Noah Clark; fifteen great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at Rader Funeral Home of Kilgore Tuesday Feb 16 evening between 6:00 – 8:00 pm.
The family will receive friends at Rozelle–Johnson Funeral Service in Anderson on Feb 23 between 6 – 8 pm.
Services will be 10 am, Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at the Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service with Mr. Don McLaughlin officiating. Burial will follow in East Maplewood Cemetery, Anderson, Indiana.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Anderson Christian School, 5401 S. Madison Avenue, Anderson, Indiana 46013 or Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Boulevard, Tyler, Texas 75701
Post online condolences at www.rozelle-johnson.com.