Crane, Jameson

The world lost a gentleman and a friend to all on December 22, 2021, with the peaceful passing of Jameson “Jim” Crane at his home in Bexley. For 95 years, Jim was adored for his genial charm, good looks, loving and fun personality, his sportsmanship, and his genuine delight in all the people he met throughout life. Jim never met a stranger and extended the same courtesy and kindness to all. Those of us left to treasure his memory include his loving wife of

five years, Laura Dehlendorf; his four children, Jay and Meredith Crane, Beth Crane and Richard Mckee, Mike and Paige Crane, and Sally Crane Cox and Cary Cox; grandchildren, Jesse (Andy), Jim (Amanda), Brian

(Leah), Annie (Cormac), Dan (Christie), David (Liz),

Cameron (Agathe), Alastair (Gabriela), and Ellie (Alex); 16 great-grandchildren; 11 nieces and nephews; his personal trainer Greg

Greenzalis; his caregivers

and companions, Carlo Battaglini and Steve Colley; and many, many friends and admirers from around the world. Jim was preceded in death by his dear wife of 59 years, Ann Burba Crane, the mother of his children, who died in 2007. Jim was born March 14, 1926, into a loving and close-knit family that included two older siblings and their spouses who predeceased him, Betty Crane Wayman (Chuck) , and Rob

ert “Bob” Crane Jr (Loann).

His parents were Helen Jameson Crane, a homemaker, and Robert Sellers Crane, a lighting designer commissioned to create many local residential and

commercial fixtures before

losing almost everything in the Great Depression. The complete reversal of the family’s fortunes in the Depression was a humbling and formative experience for Jim, and one that shaped his commitment to giving back to central

Ohio through leadership and philanthropy. Growing up, Jim was a three-sport athlete at Upper Arlington High School, lettering in football, basketball, and track before enlisting in the U.S. Navy after graduation in 1944. The end of World War II prompted Jim to enroll at The Ohio State University as a commerce major, where he was also a walk-on for the football team. It was a seminal moment in Jim’s life when he recovered an Illinois fumble on the opening kickoff, thereafter becoming a three-year starter and sealing his lifelong devotion to the university, where he was also honored to be the Gold Diggers Prom King, the early version of homecoming king at OSU. In his junior year, Jim was inducted in Bucket & Dipper, the second oldest honorary on campus, chosen for his dedication to scholarship, leadership, service, and commitment to the school. While at OSU, Jim met Ann Burba, a Bexley girl enrolled at Vassar College. Jim and Ann dated throughout college before marrying in September of 1948 when Jim took a job in sales at Columbus Coated Fabrics. The couple eventually settled in Bexley where they reared their four children. In 1947, Jim’s father at the age of 58 established a modest company, the Taytec Corporation, which later evolved into Crane Plastics. Jim’s brother, Bob, joined Crane Plastics in 1950, followed by Jim in 1960. Starting with simple vinyl profiles and moving on to more complicated extruded products for customers such as Andersen Windows, the father and his sons built a successful manufacturing company. Bob Sr. passed away in 1967, but the company continued to expand, with Bob and Jim in 1977 creating a separate company, VIPCO, that would eventually become a leader in the U.S. vinyl siding industry. Jim became president and later CEO of Crane Plastics Company following Bob’s death in 1992 and retired as Chairman in 2003. Today, Crane Group is comprised of investment and operating companies managed by both third and fourth generation members of the Crane family and based on three guiding principles established by Jim and his brother: Family, Community, and Respect. The family’s good fortunes allowed Jim to increase his commitment to the Central Ohio Community through leadership and philanthropy. Over the years, Jim served on the boards of Children’s Hospital, Bank One, United Way of Franklin County, Columbus School for Girls, the OSU Alumni Board, St. Albans Church,

and other organizations.

With three Crane generations of involvement and support of his beloved alma mater, The Ohio State University, Jim, and members of his extended family proudly donated to the university to establish the Jameson Crane Sports Medicine Institute at the Wexner Medical Center. In 2015, Jim was honored to receive Ohio State’s Distinguished Service Award. In later life, Jim and Ann were happy to travel the world, discovering new adventures and playing golf in many countries. Ever the athlete and social personality, Jim also loved the opportunity he had to play 18 holes with Sir Sean Connery in

the finals of the men’s

Super Seniors Division in

the Lyford Cay Club annual

men’s golf tournament, a memory of a lifetime.” Following the death of Ann, Jim was very fortunate to

meet and marry Laura with

whom he found renewed interest in life. Jim was a member for many years

of Lyford Cay Club in New

Providence, Bahamas; the Golf Club; the Columbus Country Club; Rocky Fork Hunt & Country Club; the Columbus Club, and Double Eagle Golf Club. Jim was also the driving force behind Crane Group’s support of Jim’s good friend John H. Mcconnell as an initial investor in the Columbus Blue Jackets hockey team. Jim loved attending the games and getting to know members of the Blue Jackets staff, the players, and their wives. Arrangements by Schoedinger Midtown, 229 East State Street, Columbus, OH 43215. A memorial service will be planned in the spring 2022. Condolences may be sent to the family at Schoedinger.com. In lieu of

flowers, family requests donations in Jim’s memory to the Gifts of Kindness Fund at The Columbus Foundation, 1234 E. Broad St, Columbus, OH; St. Albans Episcopal Church, 333 S. Drexel Ave, Bexley, OH; or that charity of your choice.