James "Jim" Herschel Crouse, Jr.

James Herschel Crouse, Jr.  of Allen, Texas passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on December 14, 2020 at the age of 75.

Jim was born on June 20, 1945 to James and Ruth Donley Crouse, Sr.  in Indianapolis, Indiana. He graduated from Scecina Catholic High School in 1963. He served in the US Army from 1963-1965, with the majority of his enlistment spent in Germany.  Jim spent over 45 years working in the physical, electronic and fire security industry. He worked his way up from sales to Vice-President and General Manager in Indianapolis, Columbus, Ohio and Dallas, Texas. He retired in 2017. In retirement, he was an active volunteer at the Allen Ministerial Food Pantry and Preston Meadow Lutheran Church where he was a member of the Church Council, teaching YouthConnect and ushering.  Retirement also allowed him to be able to travel to see Katie play college soccer.   He also loved coaching his favorite player, Ryan, in the Special Olympics and enjoying his bourbon on the patio with family and friends.

Jim’s life revolved around his family and sports. He never missed an opportunity to see any of his children’s sporting or other events. He traveled to see all of his grandchildren in their sports as well as always making time for each and every one of them.  He loved watching their games and was their biggest fan. He enjoyed coaching their teams as well.  He coached each one of his children on various teams, (except Katie - he didn’t know anything about soccer until she began to play!)  He was also a basketball referee for high school and the Boys and Girls Club in Noblesville, where he was also on the Board of Directors. He enjoyed hanging out with his children’s friends who affectionately referred to him as “Chief” and “Daddy Jim”.  He was also a mainstay at the FFA pig barn with Allison and helping out on Shelly’s family farm, even if he was the consummate city boy.  His passion was IU athletics, especially basketball.  He loved fishing, especially with his son and grandsons, and attending the Indianapolis 500 and festivities with his faithful crew.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 25 years, Shelly and their three daughters, Katie, Abby and Allison of Allen, Texas. He is also survived by his son Jim and his wife, Karen, daughter Colleen Lancaster and her husband, John, as well as their mother, Vicki Flynn all of Fishers, Indiana. He is also survived by grandchildren, Michael and Caroline Lancaster, Austin and Makenzie Crouse of Fishers, Indiana and great-granddaughter Nova Lancaster of Thorntown, Indiana.

He is also survived by his siblings, Richard Crouse and wife, Cheryl, Clayton, Georgia, Connie Hibbert of Greenfield, Indiana, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Everyone loved Uncle Jim!  He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Helen Wendel of State Center, Iowa and Shelly’s siblings, Pam and Bob German, David and Connie Wendel and Ann Taylor and their children and grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his parents, two sisters, Pamela Crouse and JoAnn Craftton, as well as brother-in laws, Don Hibbert and Marshall Crafton.

Services will be held on Friday, December 18, 2020 at 2 pm at Preston Meadow Lutheran Church, 6801 Coit Road, Plano, Texas. Masks and social distancing will be required. We will be collecting non-perishable food items at the service in honor of Jim to donate to the Allen Food Pantry.

The service will be livestreamed by using the following link: https://video.ibm.com/channel/pmlc-worship

Jim never met a stranger and loved being with people. He leaves behind many, many friends who will also cherish his memory.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Noblesville, Indiana or the Allen Ministrial Alliance Food Pantry.