James L. Crowson

Jim was born to George and Elifair Crowson on August 3, 1938 in Duncan, OK. He and his older sisters, Jackie and Wanda, grew up on their parent's farm located near Velma, OK. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1960 with a B.A. in English Literature, SMU law school in 1963, and was admitted to the Texas Bar. Jim is a Vietnam Veteran serving in the U.S. army with two years in Saigon working as the Special Agent-in-charge and Liaison Officer assigned to the 524th Counter Intelligence Detachment.

Returning from Vietnam in 1966, Jim began working for the Texas Legislative Council. In 1970 was appointed to Assistant to the President, University of Texas, Austin and then spent eight years as the Executive V.P. of the University of Texas, Dallas.

In 1980 returned to Austin as Vice Chancellor and General Counsel for the University of Texas System. In 1988, he became Executive V.P. for Lomas Financial. Jim's last position in higher education was when he and Sue moved to Lubbock where he was General Counsel & Deputy Chancellor at Texas Tech University from 1997 to 2002. For the past 15 years Jim has been with the Texas Attorney General's office in Austin providing legal counsel for 14 state agencies.

Jim is survived by his wife, Linda Sue, and a combined family of five children: James "Larry" Lawrence (Audrey) Crowson, Jr., Jason (Belinda Arnaud) Crowson, Kristi (John) Dent, Kim (Kenneth) Osborn, Chad (Kim) Johnson; eight grandchildren: Tyler, Jackson, Haley, Payton, Alex, Brooklyne, Alex and Marshall; great grandchild, Brooklynne and many beloved nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his sister, Wanda Simpson of Velma, OK and the family dog, Charlee, always by Jim's side.

Jim once commented about his early years in Oklahoma saying, "thank God for the early lessons I learned growing up, at home, in school and at work for these lessons served me well throughout my life. All in all, I've done pretty darn well for an Oklahoma farm boy".

A celebration of life will be held at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX. at 1 p.m. on Friday, January 25, 2019. Burial will immediately follow at the Texas State Cemetery. All are welcome. The Crowson family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, and caregivers who took excellent care of Jim. Family and friends will always remember Jim's patience, humility, kindness and everlasting love for family and belief in God.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.