James "Jim" William Crockford was born May 29, 1937, in Sturgis, SD, at the Anderson home, with a mid-wife, to Arthur and Mildred (Hanks) Crockford. He grew up and attended school in Sturgis, SD, graduating May 28, 1955, one day before his 18 ^th birthday. He entered the Navy and was stationed for 27 months of his three years of service overseas in the Philippine Islands, Guam, and Siapan.

On August 12, 1956, he married, Velma Bachand at the Dan Beug Ranch in rural Sturgis. He was discharged from the service in 1958, and the couple returned to Sturgis, farming near Vale at his grandfather's farm from 1959 until 1962.

In 1962, the couple moved to Woodland, CA, and then returned to Vale, SD in 1963. They lived and worked on the 40-acre farm while he also worked for Newell District running grade and then Ft. Meade until 1971, when they moved to Mason City, IA, where he started a dual partnership in an excavating company. Then he worked as foreman at Benderoff & Associates and ran blade until 1975, and then started his own excavating business full time. In 1984, due to medical reasons, they returned to Sturgis, SD, and worked for Meade County and then returned to work at Ft. Meade in 1985, retiring in 1991.

After Velma's death in 1990, he moved to Belle Fourche, SD. He then married, Karen Gerig on March 13, 1993. The couple then moved to Faith, SD in May of 2006, where they lived together until Karen's passing in 2017. Jim stayed in Faith until March of 2019, and then, lastly, moved to Belle Fourche, SD.

Jim was a member of the Moose Club, and the Mason City Muzzleloaders Club. He enjoyed living-history rendezvousing, gunsmithing, building stringed-instruments, hunting, fishing, and enjoyed family and friends.

James William Crockford, 84, of Belle Fourche, SD, died Monday, September 20, 2021 at Monument Health Spearfish Hospital.

Survivors include son, Lyle (Deb) Crockford of Mason City, IA; daughters, Terry Crockford of Sturgis, SD, and DeeAnn Crockford of Belle Fourche, SD; grandsons, Michael, Tanner, Ben (Brie), Rusty, Nolan (Blaire) Crockford; grand-daughter, Nichole Crockford; great-grandsons, Keegan and Krue Crockford; great-granddaughters, Madelyn, and Sila Crockford; Jim also has another great-grandchild on the way that he didn't know about upon his death; and Geri Olson, cousin (very close with, like a sister).

He was preceded in death by mother; dad; infant brother; both wives; and three sons: Michael, Kenneth, and Daniel.

In lieu of flowers, Jim has requested donations to the American Cancer Society in honor of Velma and Karen.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 27, 2021, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel with a visitation to begin at 9:00 a.m. until service time. Interment will follow at Black Hills National cemetery near Sturgis.

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