An Incredible Heart Made Crum Irreplaceable, Unforgettable
NBC 4
A community mourns the passing of Jimmy Crum. Hear from close friends and co-workers.
CENTRAL OHIO—Central Ohio is mourning a legend Tuesday, and NBC 4 is mourning the passing of a great co-worker and friend.
Jimmy Crum, the dean of Central Ohio sports, passed away Monday night.
NBC 4’s Colleen Marshall, Cabot Rea and Jerrod Smalley, along with some others, remember and celebrate their friend Jimmy.
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Rea said it was Crum’s incredible heart that made him irreplaceable and unforgettable.
Crum was the sports authority for more than four decades.
He was voice of Buckeye basketball during the glory years of the ‘60s and the voice of the Cincinnati Bengals.
He was a friend to coaching legends Woody Hayes and Bobby Knight.
Crum was first and foremost a friend to Central Ohio children with disabilities.
The Ohio Broadcasters Hall of Fame member told Rea a few months ago—at his labor of love tournament that benefits Easter Seals, Special Olympics and Recreation Unlimited—how his love affair with Central Ohio children endured.
“There have been sportscasters who have come along who’ve been better than Jimmy Crum. I know that,“ Crum said at the tournament. “But the fact that I was involved with the community – I think that helped me stay at Channel 4 for 41 years more than anything else.“
Marshall said Crum built his reputation as a journalist with integrity from behind the sports desk.
She said Crum once told her that he was there to report the story, not be the story.
He wasn’t afraid to ask the tough questions, Marshall said. He, however, did allow his Buckeye bias to shine sometimes.
Crum told friends he was looking forward to playing golf this spring.
At a recent dinner honoring Crum, he told Marshall he was enjoying life.
“Well, I’m busier now than I was before I retired. But I’m doing what I want to do when I want to do it. And I don’t have to worry about that 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. deadline every day.“
NBC 4 Sports’ Jerod Smalley got word of Crum’s passing during Monday night’s Fiesta Bowl.
Smalley talked to several people in the Buckeye community who knew Crum and were saddened by his death.
“Jimmy Crum was a special guy. He loved Columbus, Ohio, and loved Ohio State and loved Recreation Unlimited and so many great causes,“ Head Coach Jim Tressel said. “He fought a valiant fight. You talk about someone who had some adversity in his life. But he’d have that bright sports coat on. He never wanted you to feel bad for him. Very special.“
“He came to visit me about a month ago,“ OSU President Gordon Gee said, “ because we had missed a tournament because of the wins. He was just as lively as could be. Obviously he was frail but lively. I’m personally really heartbroken because he was such a good man and represented all that’s good about Ohio and Ohio State.”
Smalley added that Crum really was a bright spot in his life, too. Smalley said he was an incredible man who shared a great deal of his knowledge and experience with Smalley.
“He was invaluable.“
Smalley said he will miss Crum dearly.
We all will.
Stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com for the latest information in this developing story.
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Reader Reactions
I had the distinct honor and privilege to work for and with Jimmy Crum. I was a newly minted cub reporter when I began working at “NewsWatch 4” in the early 1970s. Jimmy taught by doing and by example. And I learned so much from him. He was a mentor, colleague and friend. It was my privilege to have known him. My wife Cheryl, whom I met at TV4 and also knew Jimmy, extend our deepest sympathy to his family. He was one-of-kind, a class act, and we and so many in Central Ohio are better off for having known him.
—Tom Shrout
Williamsburg, VA
I remember growing up and seeing Jimmy on tv, and even though I wasn’t a big fan of sports, he was great to watch. I remember meeting him many times, one time at a Clippers game, where he was swarmed with people who wanted to meet him, and he stood there, missing the game, signing autographs and talking to people. I saw him last about a year ago in a restaurant, as he passed by my friend and I (who didn’t want to bother him) simply said “Hi Jimmy” and he stopped, and chatted and entertained us for about 5 minutes, very gracious, smiling. That’s how I will remember Jimmy Crum, smiling, and entertaining the people.
My heart sunk when I heard this news. I can’t put into words what a great person he was and how much Jimmy meant to me.
I was badly burned in 1971 and transported to Childrens Hospital in Columbus. I met Jimmy there and we immediately became friends. He visited me and other kids in the burn ward at least twice a week and sometimes brought celebrity athletes with him. It was the worse 2 months of my life but Jimmy always brought a smile to my face when he walked into my room.
After I was released he invited me to his home for dinner, the Bengals training camp, a meeting with Woody Hayes, and even to WCMH to watch him do a live broadcast. Those memories will last a lifetime.
I moved south and lost touch with Jimmy for a few years. Just last summer I wrote him a letter to let him know I was doing fine and was thinking about him. In the letter, I once again thanked him for everything he did for me and what a wonderful person I thought he was. Two weeks later I received a 3 page hand written letter from him. He said that my letter had “made his day”. That was exactly what I was thinking about his letter to me.
I’ve never met a person with a bigger heart than Jimmy Crum.
I will miss you my friend,
Chris Weidner
South Carolina
I did not know Mr. Crum and never saw him on the air. But I worked at Channel 4 for a brief time years after he retired and I still recall how the staff’s faces would brighten when he would stop by for a visit—-often wearing one of his colorful jackets.
From what I’ve read, Jimmy seemed like a remarkable person who leaves a lasting impact on central Ohio. We can all take something from his example.
After I heard about Jimmy’s death this morning,I knew I HAD to watch tonight’s late broadcast.Not only did I watch him for many years(and remember that anti-Cooper clip),he came to visit me in 3TS at Children’s in the summer of 1981,my last summer before hitting high school at—Cabot—Licking Valley.I was in the neuro unit,not the burn area.I was 14.That was an HORRIFIC summer. I was SERIOUSLY ill, spent much of it at Children’s,while my maternal grandmother fought her last months before succumbing to breast cancer.Anyway,one day,after Mom left to eat lunch downstairs,Jimmy came in.He didn’t stay long, but we talked a short time.After he left,I was thrilled,of course.I told Mom what she missed.YEARS later,when we went to the BOB EVANS on Olentangy while I was on Main Campus,we saw him at the bar.I didn’t go up to him.Maybe I should’ve.We also have an autographed copy of HOW ABOUT THAT! That’s on his epitaph,right? First Heather,now Jimmy. Who’s next? Someone on 6/28,I guess.Matt Alban,Newark.
The family of Mike Stires wish to offer condolences to your family in your time of grief,and also wish to celebrate all the great things in his life that he accomplished.Mikes mother worked with him briefly in the 60s.And he remembers him fondly.
Growing up in Columbus, I recall many nights sneaking behind Jimmy Crum during his Channel 4 on-cameras at St. John Arena as he did his pre and post game. I would wave to my mom and family and Jimmy would always try and shoo me away.
During my senior year at North High School in 1965, I went to Jimmy and asked his opinion about a career in sports broadcasting. He told me I had already spent most of my youth on camera “behind him” so why not go for it.
Today, having spent 27 years in television sports from Florida to San Diego, to ESPN to NBC Sports, I am deeply saddened that this kind and gentle man, who reached out and embraced me as a youngster, has passed away.
Without Jimmy Crum, I would never have felt the encouragement to attend Ohio University. Without this wonderful soul, I would never have experienced the highs in my life that I enjoyed for so many years sitting at the window of the sports world.
As I sit here tonight typing this good-bye to my mentor… I am oversome with emotion… tears flood my keyboard.
I loved Jimmy Crum and I know that thousands of you loved him, too.
And I know that God has already welcomed Jimmy to the heavenly realm.
Jimmy and Woody together again… how about that!!!
Phil Stone
To the Crum and Delaveris families,
Your father and grandfather was an amazing man, and all of central Ohio will miss him, especially the kids whose lives he worked so hard to make a difference in. We are fortunate to have been able to watch him on TV, to hear his commentaries, to see his smile, to know that he cared so much for kids in need.
My deepest condolences to you, Jimmy and his crazy sports jackets will be missed.
Patti German
My Name is Lori Osborne, I was born with Cerebral Palsy and during a swim lesson 30 years ago, a wonderfull grey haired man aproached me and politely asked if he could have a photograph with me, being told who he was i said yes with my parents permission, I was so Excited to have that photo taken I soon began and still to this day called him my boyfreind.
I Tease my Husband who im happly married to still im going to get “ my boyfreind” on you when he teases me my memory of Mr Crum that day will not fade anytime soon, trully an american a lover of all things sports and forever young in my heart and mind, the plad jackets and long golf pants that smile of his and the simply generositys that day for me was and is still so special in short, Thank you MR Crum for All you did for me to make me the fine young woman i am today for I might have never known such joys as swiming or being able to do more then I thought I could you will be missed more then words will tell
Lori Osborne
In a time when disabilities and differences were not accepted, Jimmy Crum was there to make disabled kids feel like stars. In 1984 I had the honor of being the Easter Seals poster child. At five years old I don’t think I knew what being an Easter Seals poster child meant, but I do remember Jimmy Crum made the world much brighter and hopeful. I’ll never forget how he stood next to me and held my hand leading me gently into a world where I would have to learn how to be a kid, not a kid with handicaps. If it weren’t for Jimmy Crum and his work with Easter Seals, there may never have been disabled children who can just be children. Thank You Jimmy and We will all miss you.
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