James Edward Crandell November 22, 1929 – September 22, 2018 Share this obituary Send Flowers View/Sign Guest Book| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card James Edward Crandell, 88, went to be with the Lord during the early morning hours of September 22, 2018 at his home surrounded by his family. He was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in June. He was born on November 22,1929 in Williston, ND to George and Enid Crandell.
They were early homesteaders in Coal Creek Community on the Golden Bench. George also owned the first mercantile in old Scobey ( Knapp-Crandell Mercantile). So Jim’s roots ran deep in Daniels County.
His early childhood was spent on the family farm in Coal Creek. He attended the Michel School till he was eight years old, when he was diagnosed with dust pneumonia during the dirty thirties, so his parents decided the best thing to do for their young son was to move to the west coast to a wetter climate. Settling in Rochester, WA.
Jim attended grade school and high school in Rochester, graduating in 1949. He attended two years of college in Centralia, WA. His father had continued to “suitcase farm,” the farm in Coal Creek, so Jim had been going back to Montana in the summers to help his Dad.
In the spring of 1952 he met Jeannette Theresa Richardson, also of Coal Creek. They were married on June 6th of 1953. Once married, Jim and Jeannette farmed the family farm in Coal Creek.
Before the birth of their daughter, Lois, Jim was called into the service. He served in the Army for three years in Germany and upon his return from Germany he resumed farming and caring for the family. In 1958 they welcomed their second child Jay.
Jim wore many hats in the years ahead. Upon, his return he started a hog operation on the farm, along with cattle, and farmed in Canada. He also began to sell insurance for a few years and was a crop adjuster.
In 1976 they built a house in Scobey residing there full time. They continued to farm until 1985. Jim was always first and foremost a farmer, the farm has been in the family since 1913, which he was very proud of, his love for the land and Coal Creek community showed in all that he knew about the area.
Jim and Jeannette enjoyed many activities together in their younger years, they loved to square dance, card parties, curling, and the Frontier club. They built the Cattle King Motor Inn in 1982 and in 1985 sold the farm to their son Jay, dedicating their time to running the Cattle King which became a great addition to the Scobey community. Both Jim and Jeannette enjoyed their employees and the social aspect of operating their motel.
Jim found his nitch in the motel, as he loved people and enjoyed visiting with the patrons. In 2006 they decide to sell the motel and enjoy retirement. They carried on their farming interests in Hill County, and in 2015 began wintering in Gold Canyon, AZ, enjoying their time with family and friends.
Jim thought that life was an adventure and a way to catalogue those adventures was through story telling. He had a natural skill for providing details in his stories that resulted in hilarious retelling of stories. He also enjoyed a lively discussion and always brought a lot to the table with ideas and a wide array of facts.
He always enjoyed a good time and a good laugh. Through out his life, Jim was an avid card and cribbage player. He enjoyed challenging anyone to a game of cribbage.
Jim also enjoyed watching sports. His favorites games to watch were those his grandchildren played. He would devour books, couldn’t keep him in books to read.
He seemed to remember everything he read. We liked to tell him his mind was like a steel trap. Jim and Jeannette always had their home open to family and friends.
They never knew a stranger. He was always a fan of the Scobey Spartans, so it is fitting that his service was on the day of homecoming. Jim served on many different boards, The Tourism Board, The Farmer’s Union Board, The Elevator Board, The Carbert School Board, and he was also a Mason.
He was a wonderful Husband, father, and friend. He will be miss tremendously. He was preceded in death by his parents George and Enid and his sister Elysabeth (Willard) Pratt.
He is survived by his wife Jeannette of 65 years, daughter Lois (Kent) Bray of Kalispell, MT, son Jay (Michelle) Crandell of Scobey and grandchildren; Dr. Kurt (Kacie) Bray, Neill (Amy) Crandell, Lisa (Capt. Austin) Minter, Dr. Chelsea Crandell, Michael ( Taylor) Crandell, and Joe Blakemore; three great grandchildren: Brayden Hawks Minter, Cantyn James Crandell, and Waylon Michael Crandell. The family requests that memorials be sent to: Daniels County Cancer Coalition, P.O. Box 836, Scobey, MT 59263; or The Daniels County Library, P.O. Box 190, Scobey, MT 59263; or The Daniels County Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 81, Scobey, MT 59263.
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