December 3, 1946 – October 22, 2024On October 22, 2024, we lost James Oliver Crittenden Jr. to his ten month battle with cancer. Born in Sewickley, PA., Jamie, as he was called, died peacefully in his home in San Diego, CA. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, cousin, uncle, friend, and “dogfather.”After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, he and his bride, Julie, ventured across the country to graduate school at UCLA. From the Anderson School Jamie earned his MBA, graduating with an Edward Carter Fellowship. He and Julie became lifelong “westerners.” Jamie embraced a career in merchandising, first with Broadway Department stores, then at Robinson’s. For most of his working years, Jamie was a member of the executive team at Smart and Final.Retiring in 1999, Jamie and Julie bought a Roadtrek van and set off – with dogs aboard – to travel the country. From following the Mississippi River’s inception in Northern Minnesota to its end at the Gulf of Mexico to driving the length of the country West to East, Julie and Jamie made their way to the door steps of friends and family and explored America. Additionally, they enjoyed walking tours and expeditions around the globe. Always inquisitive, Jamie and Julie committed their retirement years to learning about people and places through travel.Jamie was an avid golfer, consistently exercised with Heavy Hands (Google it), cruised out of Marina Del Rey in their day sailor, listened with adoration to Elvis, mastered (some) wood- working techniques, made yearly pilgrimages to Molokai, and devoted himself to his family.Jamie lived by this motto: Passion plus drive plus commitment equals success.He is survived by his wife Julie, his daughters Katy and Care, his grandchildren Koji, Kai, Juliette, Lachlan and Amelia, his brother Jack, and various cousins, nieces and nephews.In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Best Friends Animal Clinic in Kanab, UT.The post Obituary: James Oliver Crittenden Jr. appeared first on Park Record.