James Dallas Croom, Jr.

James Dallas Croom, Jr. of Asheboro, died at Well Spring Retirement Community in Greensboro on Sunday, November 3, one week before his 102nd birthday. He was born November 10, 1911 in Maxton, NC to Dr. James Dallas and Ruth Roberts Croom. He attended schools in Maxton and was an alumnus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Class of 1933. Mr. Croom came to Asheboro in 1935 with Carolina Power & Light Company. He later joined Burlington Industries before purchasing a book and stationery store which he expanded to include office equipment and supplies. Still later, he became associated with Pinehurst Textiles as vice president/sales manager. From 1973 until his retirement at age 89 , he was owner/operator of Twin Cat Designs and TC Distributing. His younger son Bill joined him in this business in 1978. He went to his office virtually every day up until the day he moved to Well Spring in 1999. Even after the move, he remained a consultant to the companies. Mr. Croom was predeceased in 1976 by his wife of 36 years, Jane Page Walker Croom. His parents and younger brother Edward M. Croom also predeceased him. He is survived by his three children Lee Page Croom Leggett and husband Mark of Charlotte, James D. Croom III and wife Rebecca of Matthews and William Worth Croom and wife Robin of Asheboro. He is also survived by grandchildren Page Leggett, Blake Leggett Marler, Jessica Croom Watson and husband Trevor, Meg Croom, Anna Lee Croom and Dallas Croom and by great grandsons Will Marler and Parks Watson. An active member of Asheboro's Central United Methodist Church, Mr. Croom was president of the Men's Lloyd Bible Class for a number of years. He served as a lay leader and was on various committees, including chairman of the Administrative Board and the Stewardship Committee. Mr. Croom was also active in the community. He enjoyed being a part of a local group that worked to bring the N.C. Zoo to Asheboro. He served as treasurer and as president of the Randolph Friends of the Zoo and was a life member of the NC Zoo Society. In 1990 he was honored with the NC Zoological Park Council Award for his support of the state's zoo. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Asheboro and a Paul Harris Fellow, serving as president in 1954-55. He served on the Asheboro school board for four years, was a former director of the Asheboro Chamber of Commerce, the United Way Fund and the Red Cross. He was a former director of Peoples Savings & Loan and Bankers Trust. Mr. Croom had many interests. As a Boy Scout, he began collecting coins, a hobby which continued throughout his lifetime. He appreciated music, had an impressive record collection and taught himself to play the chord organ when he was in his 50s. He held a patent on an invention and he authored three joke books. He had a wonderful sense of humor and amassed quite a collection of humorous stories which he would weave into speaking engagements -- he loved an audience. Mr. Croom and his wife enjoyed travel and he continued to travel, at home and abroad, after her death in 1976. He was a great fan of spectator sports; he especially liked following the Tar Heels. He had an affinity for both tennis and golf. He made two holes-in-one, at Willow Creek Golf Club and at Greensboro Country Club. In the early 1940s, he won the city golf championship and a year later, he and partner Bill Armfield won the city doubles tennis championship. He continued to play both games until close to his retirement and even played a couple of tennis matches after his move to Well Spring. The family would like to express sincere gratitude to the staff at Well Spring Retirement Community for providing such compassionate care to our father for the past 14 years. A service of celebration of Jim Croom's life will be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2013 at 1:00 pm at Central United Methodist Church, 300 S. Main Street, Asheboro, followed by a reception in the Family Life Center. Interment will be private. Memorials may be directed to Central United Methodist Church, Debt Retirement Fund, Asheboro 27203, to Well Spring Retirement Community, Employee Appreciation Fund, 4100 Well Spring Drive, Greensboro, NC 27410, to the NC Zoological Society, 4403 Zoo Parkway, Asheboro, NC 27205 or to a charity of one's choice. Arrangements are in the care of Pugh Funeral Home, Asheboro, NC.