Cromer, James Robert

James Robert Cromer, 67, passed away Friday, Dec. 17, 2010, at the Vinton Lutheran Home. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home, Vinton, with Chaplain Wyatt Dagit of Iowa Hospice officiating. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until service time Tuesday at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Urbana Cemetery, with military rites by Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post 57 of Vinton.

Jim was born Dec. 28, 1942, in Oakland, Neb., the son of Lugene W. and Margaret C. Olson Cromer. He grew up in Pender, Neb., a town he dearly loved and never truly “left.” He attended DeVry Technical Institute in Chicago, and began employment in 1962 at Collins Radio, now Rockwell Collins, in Cedar Rapids. He retired as a project manager in 1994.

He served his country in the United States Air Force from 1964 until 1968. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, a beautiful young airline stewardess named Sammie Wood at the Zanzibar on Colfax Street in Denver, Colo., in September 1964. They were married Dec. 5, 1964, in Alamosa, Colo., and recently celebrated 46 years of marriage. Based at Bunker Hill AFB in Indiana, the couple started their life and family together. They returned to Cedar Rapids in May 1968, later moving to Urbana in 1977, and building the home of their dreams outside Vinton in 2002. Thanks to the loving care and commitment of Sammie, Jim was able to reside there until a week before his death.

Jim had a quick wit and was always ready with a story or joke to tell. He will be long remembered by his friends and dearly missed by his family.

Jim is survived by his wife, Sammie of Vinton; one daughter, Chari (Jon) Kaut of Palo; one son, Robb (Tina) Cromer of Shellsburg; granddaughters, Heather McKinley of Waterloo, and Sara Happel of Palo; grandsons, Tyler and Devin Cromer of Shellsburg; brother and sister-in-law, Lugene and Donna Cromer of Cedar Rapids; sister-in-law, Dixie Wood of Montrose, Colo.; nephew, Kent (Kim) Cromer of Marion; nieces, Kara (Kelly) Leyse of Marion, and LeAnn (Paul) Radcleff of Montrose, Colo.; and his faithful companion, Missy.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Along with Jim, the family was very grateful for the services of Iowa Hospice, in particular: Theresa, Kara C., Kara B., Wyatt, Wayne, Brandi, Donna, Linda and former nurse Mary. Without your assistance and care, this last year would not have been possible. Also, a special thanks to the Vinton Lutheran Home for the care they gave in his final days.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.

Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home is caring for Jim and his family.

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