Send Your Condolences
COLUMBUS, Ohio—Jimmy Crum touched the lives of many around Central Ohio and beyond.
Send your condolences to his family by posting a comment or your memories of Jimmy in the field below.
RELATED: Former NBC 4 Sportscaster Jimmy Crum Dies
VIDEO FROM THE VAULT:
Woody Hayes Celebrates Jimmy Crum
Jimmy Crum and his Charitable WorkIN HIS OWN WORDS: Jimmy Crum (1928-2009)
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Reader Reactions
“Irreplaceable” is the word Cabot Rea used to describe Jimmy Crum when Jimmy passed away a week ago today. How true! I had the honor of following Jimmy in the Channel 4 Sports chair when Jimmy retired in December, 1993. I knew Jimmy was irreplaceable then and the outpouring of love I have seen, heard and read the past week only confirms what we already knew. Quite simply, Jimmy Crum was the kindest, most generous, most caring person I have ever known. There are 8 pages of comments on this post, and seven and a half of those pages are filled with stories from people who experienced Jimmy’s kindness first-hand… most of them as children going though difficult times. Jimmy devoted his life to helping the less fortunate. He taught me a thing or two about sportscasting, but he taught me a lot more about helping others. Heaven has a special place for Jimmy who is now reunited with his heart and soul, his wife Miriam. Jimmy was such a blessing to us all and his presence lives on in the example he set and in the lives he touched.
As Jimmy’s son, Jim, indicated at his Dad’s memorial service last Saturday, the best way we can honor his father’s memory is to continue his life work of helping others… in whatever way we can.
I can just picture Jimmy seeing these acts of kindness from Heaven, slapping Woody Hayes on the back, and cheerfully exclaiming “How about that, sports fans!“
Doug Lessells
As an OSU cheerleader during the golden days of Basketball and Football-1960-63; I felt like I had finally “arrived” when Jimmy Crum invited our cheer squad to join him on his TV show! He was an icon, and so very nice to all! I remember his great saying;“How’bout that, Basketball fans!!!!“ After college,I became(and still am) a NBC4 fan- no other station brings the news,sports,weather like NBC4. Jimmy Crum was the reason I began watching Channel 4! Thanks, Jimmy for unforgetable coveragew of our beloved Buckeyes!!!!!! Marty Cecil- OSU-1963
Wow!
I can remember Jimmy Crum growing up and listing to him say “THAT WAS A BARN BURNER”, on some of the games he reported on Friday nights. And to see that colorful jacket. For him to work with such special children and the caring lead me to what I do now, I work with special children and love it. To see there improvements and growing is a wonderful experience. Thank you Jimmy Crum.
Jimmy Crum was a truly wonderful man. I worked at one of his camps in high school and those kids had so much fun!
I met him at a blood give in and while we were talking after giving he noticed my arm was bleeding and alerted me so calmly.
I ran into him as a bartender many years later at a fund raiser and he never failed to be gracious and warm.
I loved his terms like “barnburner” May he be in peace and find eternal happiness to give back some of the happiness he created for others.
I was fortunate to meet Jimmy at a Baskin Robbins one day. He bought me a sundae (along with his own fudge-on- fudge favorite) and we sat down. I don’t remember the conversation, but Wow!. I had known his daughter from Recreation unlimited, esp. because her birthday was two days after mine. Who can forget his play by play at St. John’s during the span of Lucas, Havlichek, Witte, Hornyak, and others.
“How about that, sportfans!“ He said he loved his work. It was his life. What energy, intensity and compassion! He was electric. He was Columbus and more.
When our son was little he would watch Jimmy’s sports report daily. Our son, Grant would sit with a clipboard, pretend “mike” and “do” the sports. When Grant was 5 he wanted a “Jimmy Crum Birthday Party.“ He REALLY wanted to invite Jimmy. We bought Grant a “Jimmy Crum Wild Plaid” sports coat, had BRIGHT colored balloons, “the cake” and used a very bright color theme for everything. What a memory!! We sent a photo of Grant in he sports coat to Jimmy. Channel 4 put it on the show at the end of the news program.
To think Jimmy had that much impact on a little boy watching him on tv…I can image what it was like to actually know him personally. I will always believe that Jimmy had an impact on my son’s life. My son went on to college (majored in Political Science, history and COMMUNICATIONS) and has just returned home from the Peace Corp and he has always dressed “kind of quirky”, too…..Jimmy will be missed! I wish our children had (AND THEY NEED) more role models like Jimmy. Our world would be in better shape!
The photo of our son in his jacket is in his “Senior High School” memory book today!
Condolences to family and friends of Jimmy. Me and my daughter meant Jimmy a number of years ago while she was having physical therapy for a condition called Charcot Marie Syndrome. He was so kind and took the time to talk to us and inquire about her condition. I have never forgotten that.
Jimmy Crum made an impact on our youngest son’s life. He attended Recreation Unlimited, and for one week he was able to feel like a normal kid. He was able to be with kids who suffered from the same illness. He loved his time there for the years he attended as a child. God Bless Jimmy for that opportunity for our son. It made a difference in his life as well as ours. We are so sorry for the families loss, and Jimmy will be sadly missed by all who’s lives he touched. May God Bless you during this very difficult time. I know he is in Heaven doing wonderful things as well! Cherish all the wonderful memories you have made over the years, they will help you in the months to come!
The Manter’s
I am Cody Bowmans grandmother,Cindy Burton. Cody was the poster child here in 1992 with Jimmy by her side. He gave her his phone number and she some times would call the station while he was on the air! Cody is now 22yrs. old. Jimmy stayed in touch with her through the years. After graduation from high school Cody started working at Recreation Unlimited each summer as a counselor. Last summer I saw Jimmy at The Form and asked him if I could go with him to RU so I could visit with Cody. He of course said yes. We drove up together and didn’t tell Cody that I would be there. Cody came in to the lunch room and was so surprised to see her grandmother havening lunch with Jimmy. He called her beautiful. This year he sent her a birthday card. Cody is very up set that she can’t come from Florida to the funeral. I told her that Jimmy would want her to stay in college that would be more important to him. They had a very special bond and I am so sadden that he is gone. She has fond and wonderful memories because of Jimmy Crum.
Growing up I could not wait to see Jimmy on T.V. I always loved to see what colorful jacket he would have on next. Columbus and the State has lost a wonderful man. I never had the pleasure of meeting Jimmy, though I wish I could have. My thoughts and prayers are with the Crum family, and everyone who knew Jimmy. You will be missed Jimmy! God Bless You Jimmy!!!
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