James E. Crawford Jr. ’44

Jim died Jan. 21, 2007, in St. Louis, where he was a fourth-generation resident. A brother, two sons, and two of his grandchildren are Princetonians.

He prepped at St. Louis Country Day School. At Princeton, he majored in chemical engineering, was on the freshman swim team, and was manager of Cottage Club. His roommates were Dave Metcalfe, Gid Upton, Dick Schueler, Ric Ohrstrom, Kroger Pettengill, and later, in 115 Blair, included Jack Myers, Bill Tiernan, Ned Kelley, Linc Johnson, and Bob “Brownie” Brown.

Jim served two years aboard a Liberty ship as engineering officer, married Virginia “Ginny” Cooban in 1944, and rose through the ranks to become a senior executive of Monsanto Chemical Co. He was proud to be the first chairman of its social responsibility committee. Jim left Monsanto in 1981 for publishing and other ventures.

He was a senior warden of Episcopal churches in Ladue, Mo., and Boca Grande, Fla., another residence. A love for mountains and skiing led him to purchase property in Vail, Colo. Besides Ginny, his survivors include sons James E. III ’68, Stephen ’70, and Michael; his daughter, Molly Schneider; brother Louis ’48; eight grandchildren, including Lacy ’96 and James ’03, and one great-grandchild. Our sincere condolences go to all.