James Nelson Crippen Jr's Obituary
James N. Crippen, Jr. passed away peacefully on Monday, March 23, with his family by his side. He was 99 years old.
Jim was born on January 16, 1927, in the small town of Montour Falls, New York, where he spent his youth and met his first wife, Okla (“Andy”) Crippen. Deeply influenced by the attack on Pearl Harbor, Jim enlisted in the military at the young age of 16.
Jim proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy as a Chief Petty Officer, working on several ships, aircraft carriers and naval aircraft throughout his career. He was a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War. After 20 years of active duty, he continued serving in a civilian role with the U.S. Navy. He spent the next 16 years as a Calibration Lab Technician and Supervisor at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California.
Throughout their marriage, Jim and Andy lived across the United States, moving wherever the Navy sent them. They later returned for a time to their origins in upstate New York before eventually settling in San Diego, where they raised their daughters.
Following his retirement from both active military and civilian service, Jim embraced a wide range of interests. He was a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast and a self-taught artist whose paintings were displayed in various art shows and galleries. He enjoyed reading and studying philosophy and other subjects. He also became an ultralight pilot and loved flying whenever he could, often skimming the treetops, sometimes a little too closely.
Travel was one of Jim’s greatest passions. He explored many parts of the world, often with family, visiting Egypt, Europe, China, the Czech Republic, Alaska, and numerous National Parks. Later in life, Jim married his second wife, Vicki, who was originally from Germany. Together they enjoyed dancing, playing board games with family and friends, and working on home improvement projects. Above all, Jim cherished time with his family, creating memories that will be treasured for generations. In his final chapter, Jim lived with his daughter in Hawaii, where he enjoyed a peaceful life, finding joy in the natural beauty of the islands, especially the sunsets from his lanai overlooking the ocean.
Jim was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. He was predeceased by both of his wives. His second wife, Vicki Crippen, passed away on December 20, 2023. They will be laid to rest together at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery in Kailua-Kona. He is survived by his two daughters, Sharon Dunkeson and Lori Porter; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Jim will be remembered as an eternal optimist with a positive outlook on life. He often referred to himself as a “Lucky Dog.” With his indomitable spirit, intelligence, and generosity, he leaves behind a lasting legacy of love and admiration.
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