Jimmy's Story

On April 5th, 2011, Jimmy Crabtree passed away, after an 8 month battle with Carcinoid Cancer. He was just 42 years old.

Jimmy was born January 18, 1969 at the West Orange Hospital in Winter Garden, FL. He graduated from West Orange High School in 1987, and from Florida Southern College, Lakeland, in 1991. He married his high school sweetheart in June 1991, fulfilling a promise to his parents that he would finish college before marrying.

Upon graduation, he worked as General Manager for Bob Kerr's Marine Tool Co., the family business until December 2003. He left to work for Custom Metal and helped form the partner company Fabricore as Manager. R.C. Stevens Construction Co. hired him in August 2006, as a Project Manager. While he was with R.C. Stevens, he received the 2008 Excellence in Construction Eagle Award from the Associated Builders and Contractors 2008 for Hanson Pipe and Precast. He also received the 2008 project of the year for the same job from R.C. Stevens. He had an LEED AP certification. He was a Master Graduate of Rapport Leadership International. He was involved in several local projects including the restoration of the Garden Theatre and the construction of the Roper Garden Building, both in downtown Winter Garden.

He was a Christian and an active member of the First United Methodist Church, Winter Garden. Jim served as Chairman of the Facilities Committee and Project Manager of the Fellowship Hall renovation. He was involved with the Mission Team, making trips to Nevada, Puerto Rico, Washington and Waveland, MS. He and his children camped with the YMCA Adventure Guides. He was a member of the West Orange Chamber of Commerce.

He loved his family, hunting, fishing, camping, playing poker, the Florida Gators and his beloved dog, Boomer.

Jimmy and Lorie were always involved with the children’s activities and Lorie continues to stay busy participating in their events

Jacob and Mattie are now attending college for Engineering and Nursing programs. Both are very involved with their Church of Winter Garden, and active with the Youth Program. They continue to enjoy traveling with their church mission team to places like Costa Rica.