James “Jim” Edward McCrave Jr.
Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On January 2, 2024 @ 12:14 pm In 2023,Obituaries | 8 Comments
James “Jim” Edward McCrave, Jr., aged 58, of Savage, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 31, 2023.
A Christian Funeral will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 12 PM with a visitation from 10AM – 11:45 AM at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Prior Lake. Pastor Greg DeMuth will preside. Please wear your favorite band or sports T-Shirt to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be distributed by Jim’s family.
A memorial will also take place on February 3, 2024 in Ohio. More information to follow.
Jim was born in Rhode Island and grew up in New Jersey as the oldest of two children. As a child, Jim had a knack for coming up with funny one-liners that addressed awkward situations with humor. It was often said that this was a trait inherited from his father, and this side of his personality carried him through life with everyone around him, friends, family, co-workers, and even complete strangers.
After attending high school in Middletown, NJ, Jim moved and finished his senior year in Ohio. After high school, Jim attended Bowling Green State University and later attained his C.P.A. His professional career was a mix of finance and operational roles in a variety of industries, most frequently holding CFO roles in medical device companies. Many lifelong friendships were formed along the way. Jim served on church council at St. Mary Magdelene Lutheran Church, the school board for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School and most recently on the board of the M.O.M.S. program.
Jim married Alaina Hajar on June 6, 2003, and they soon moved to Savage, MN to start a family. Jim enjoyed years of daddy daughter dancing, and the family loved to take annual trips to Ohio to spend time with family. Jim and Alaina enjoyed many concerts, time with friends, playing cards, and attending wine and spirit tastings.
Jim had a deep passion for music, and like his sense of humor, this presented itself early in life when he received his first record player at the age of three. He quickly learned to alphabetize his albums, otherwise, how would he find them in the thousands of albums and CDs he owns? He attended the inaugural Rock & Roll Hall of Fame concert when the rock hall opened in 1995. He could hear a song and rattle off the name of the artist/band, album and who was in the band. He loved sharing his music with others, and especially enjoyed talking about music with his children.
Jim also had a love of baseball that was fostered by his maternal grandfather. He loved talking baseball with anyone, collected baseball cards and other memorabilia and enjoyed the sport of soccer, too.
As an avid reader, the McCrave home is filled with books. Fiction, Non-Fiction, History, Sports, you name it, the genre is on the many bookshelves in the house. Jim loved to read, and delved daily into his Bible, growing in his faith. It gave him peace and presence of mind every morning to listen to his bible plans.
Jim is survived by his spouse, Alaina M. McCrave; children, Riana, Conor, and Evan; mother, Barbara J. McCrave; sister, Kelly Kreger; and many other loving family and friends. He is preceded by his father, James E. McCrave.
“I may be old, but thank God I’m still immature” – Jim McCrave
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Alaina and Family, I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Jim was such a great guy. My thoughts and prayers are deeply with you!!!
Alaina and family, Jim was 1 in a million. I couldn’t have asked to have worked with a better person and never will. His quick whitted comments, introducing me to all kinds of music and the jokes we all played on one another. He was one of a kind.
He will dearly be missed and never forgotten!!!
Alaina and family, you will be in my thoughts and my prayers in these difficult times. I pray that great memories of so many good times, loving thoughts of the joy he was in your lives, and the knowledge that, as a Christian, he will see you all again one day in his glorious, heavenly mansion. May God’s love and peace give you comfort.
Kim
Dear McCrave Family- Your husband/dad was a pleasure to be around. He always brought a smile to our office, and we will miss him. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Dear Alaina & Family – Jim sounds like he was a fantastic individual and someone that has left incredible memories for you all to cherish. You have been & will remain in my prayers.
Our deepest condolences. He was a true gem of a human being.
Alaina, I am heartbroken for you and your family. What a fun and loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. I’m sure he did not want to leave you all so soon. You have my deepest sympathy and you are in my prayers.
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Dearest Alaina, Riana, Conor and Evan: Jim was an exceptional person that left a mark with everyone. He loved all of you more than I can express. Great Husband, Father, Son and Friend. He will be missed by all of us. We can’t forget the concerts, music, laughter and wine! Jim enjoyed life.
My deepest condolences to his Family and Friends. Love, Cindy