Our family is heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Dad, husband, Grampy & cherished friend, James Walter Crego, at the age of 90. He went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, March 26, 2026, 6 months to the day and minute of the passing of his wife Linda Louise (Weist). Born in Chicago, Illinois, on January 2, 1936, to George Richard and Grace Eleanor (Hinds). He was a graduate of Rich Township High School, in Park Forest, Illinois and studied Metallurgical engineering at Fenn College.

He honorably served in the Army National Guard for eight years, where he achieved the rank of Captain and led as a Bridge Company Commander in Willoughby, Ohio.

He was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason. He was installed as Master of Pentalphia Masonic Lodge, Willoughby, Ohio, in November of 1976. He was a 58-year-old member.

Jim lived in Chicago and Springfield, Illinois; Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Wickliffe and Euclid, Ohio. He met Linda, at Covenant Baptist Church, in Wickliffe, Ohio, in October 1956. Their first date was a dance at Fenn College. They married June 14, 1958.

During High School he worked at his cousin’s gas station, Small Brothers. When he moved to Ohio he worked at Superior Carbon. He was a dedicated square dance caller and instructor part time, and was respected and admired within the square-dancing community for 20 years. He spent the rest of his career in the dental industry. He built a long and dedicated career, starting with a dental company in Cleveland, Ohio, which was later acquired, before pursuing his entrepreneurial spirit by founding his own dental equipment business. Through his work, he traveled across the country. In 1976, he relocated the family to West Chester, Pennsylvania and spent the remainder of his career working for Patterson Dental as a Branch Manager at 2 locations. He also designed dental offices and dental schools at universities. He was also honored to design a dental clinic in China, before retiring in 1999.

Family was the center of his life. His greatest joy was being surrounded by his relatives and friends. He was especially overjoyed later in life to be reunited with his grandchildren, a blessing that brought him immense pride and happiness.

He enjoyed golfing, traveling the world and church. He loved playing poker with family and friends and won his last game the day before he passed. He played in basketball and baseball leagues for his church. He played the trombone in his high school band. He also spent many years bowling in a league. He loved to surf fish in Holden Beach, North Carolina, where he took his family for vacation for 16 years. When he retired, he took up cooking and baking, and continued golfing and has 3 lifetime holes-in-one to his credit.

He was a devoted husband, to Linda Louise, for 67 years, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his parents, and three brothers, Harrison Parker (Betty), George Richard Jr., Eugene Andrew (Valerie).

He was a proud Dad to Brenda Louise (Stash Hershberger) and Cyndy Lou (Tommy Lee Light). He is survived by his grandchildren, Bradley Burr (Jenna) and Rebecca Lauzon, and 3 step grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and 7 great step-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held at his church, Village of Faith Baptist Church, 8653 County Road 127, Wildwood, Florida 34785, on Thursday, April 23, 2026. Family and friends are invited to visit with the family beginning at 10:00 a.m. The Celebration of Life service will begin at 11:00 a.m.

Following the service, all are invited to join the family for a luncheon and time of fellowship, immediately following (location TBD).

The family will have a private interment at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Ocala, Florida.

Flowers may be delivered to Village of Faith Baptist Church at 9:00 a.m. on the day of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Village of Faith Baptist Church.

The service will be recorded and available later in the day, on April 23, 2026, on YouTube@vofpeople.