James Artice Crabtree, SMSgt USAF, Retired

Candler – James (Jim) Artice Crabtree, 89 passed away on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at Care Partners Hospice Solace Center (John F. Keever).

Jim was a native of Roane County, Tennessee but had resided in Buncombe County for several years and was a son of the late Ruel Johnson and Anna Matilda Scarborough Crabtree.  He was seven of nine children and served as an inspector general administrator with the United States Air Force for 29 years.  Jim served during the Korean War and Vietnam Era.  He was a member and past master of the Hominy Masonic Lodge #491 AF&AM, member and past patron of the Order of Eastern Star, Chapter 228, member of the Scottish Rite and an active member of Pole Creek Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Irene Trull Crabtree; one daughter, Marcia Crabtree of Fletcher; one son, James A. Crabtree, Jr. of Candler; one sister, Sarah Johnson of Tennessee; three grandchildren, Samuel Crabtree, Aaron and Walker Linkous.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 3, 2021 at Pole Creek Baptist Church with the Reverend Ben Heise and Reverend Dennis Thurman officiating.  Burial will follow at Snow Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery with full military honors conducted by the United States Air Force and Masonic Rites conducted by the Hominy Masonic Lodge #491 AF&AM.  The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 2, 2021 at Wells Funeral Home in Canton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Snow Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery Maintenance Fund, 84 Snow Hill Church Road, Candler, NC  28715.

The care of Mr. Crabtree has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes of Canton and an online memorial register is available at “Obituaries” at www.wellsfuneralhome.com