Clarence Crim of McKinney, Texas, passed away October 10, 2015 at the age of 93. He was born in the Milligan community situated east of McKinney on October 2, 1922 to Glen and Myrtle Crim, one of thirteen siblings. The Crim family relocated to McKinney shortly thereafter and Mr. Crim attended public schools in McKinney, Texas. In early 1940, he enlisted in the United States Army and was subsequently assigned to the China, Burma and India Theater of allied military operations during World War II under the overall authority of Supreme Asiatic Commander 1st Earl Lord Louis Mountbatten of Burma and under the immediate command of Lieutenant General Joseph Warren “Vinegar Joe” Stilwell. During his military service, Mr. Crim also served as personal color guard to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt twice. During his celebrated military service, Mr. Crim was promoted to the rank of Technical Sergeant being the youngest person to assume that rank in the U.S. Army at that time. His certificate of promotion to Technical Sergeant was signed by Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt Jr., his commanding officer at the time of his promotion and the eldest son of former President Theodore Roosevelt.
During his long and dedicated working career, Mr. Crim was employed by General Motors, Royal Dutch Shell Petroleum Company and Texas Instruments before retiring in 1983. While employed with Texas Instruments, Mr. Crim was instrumental in assisting on-site with the establishment of a Texas Instruments assembly facility in the island nation of Singapore in 1969 and received company commendations for his meritorious service in that significant project.
Clarence Crim was, by nature, quiet and reserved, rarely verbalizing about his rich and varied life both militarily and domestically. He was widely respected for his technical knowledge in his career field and his diligent work ethic. Mr. Crim pursued numerous projects with enthusiasm and dedication to see the project through to successful completion. He served as mentor to many younger employees at both Royal Dutch Shell and Texas Instruments over the years and enthusiastically conveyed their gratitude and appreciation to him when their paths later crossed.
Mr. Crim is survived by a large extended family of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who all will miss the measured but expressive love that he felt for his family and the family members and friends that felt the same for him.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 17, 2015 at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen, Texas. The family will receive friends during a visitation Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas.