Lt Col. Paul L. Crum, Jr, 89, completed his last mission on March 21, 2015. He was born to the late Paul and Hallie Crum on December 14, 1925 in Frederick, MD. He was the beloved husband of Fannie (Dolly) Crum to whom he was married for over 63 years. He is survived by two siblings, Charles Crum and Marilyn Castle.
His ancestors arrived in New Amsterdam (New York) from the Netherlands on the D'Vos (The Fox) on August 31, 1662 and made their way to Frederick by way of what is now New Jersey by 1750. The long association of his family with Frederick County inspired his deep love of country and his love of Frederick in particular.
A member of what has been termed the "Greatest Generation," Paul demonstrated his desire to serve his country when he enlisted as a volunteer in the Army Air Force at 17 years old and entered into active service four days after his 18th birthday. After training, he became part of the 720th Squadron of the 450th Bomb Group often referred to as "the Cottontails" – flying an impressive 49 missions over Europe during World War II. His battles and campaigns earned him the European-African-Middle Eastern Ribbon with six Bronze Stars and an Air Medal with three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters.
After the war, Paul graduated from officer's candidate school in Fort Benning, Georgia and later became a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 115th Infantry Regiment of the 29th Infantry Division of the Maryland National Guard. He served in this capacity for 36 years, eventually rising to the position of Company Commander with the rank of Lt. Colonel.
During this time he also worked as a partner in the family business, Crum Electric, Inc., which was started by his father during the Depression. While working in this enterprise he learned the importance of hard work and providing quality service.
In 1974, Paul was elected to the Board of Frederick County Commissioners. This was during a period of extensive development in Frederick County and he, consequently, was involved in many difficult decisions that affected the growth of the county. He is particularly remembered for his attempts to balance growth with stewardship for the environment as his appreciation and reverence for natural resources guided his actions both as an elected official and as a private citizen. Paul was instrumental in developing and leading the implementation of a plan to stabilize Carroll Creek, which included the placement of instream structures and tree planting to prevent the erosion of the stream corridor. This ultimately resulted in the healthy and aesthetically attractive stream that exists today. He also served as a primary consultant to the development of the conservation and management plan for the Monocacy River that led to qualifying the river for official recognition as a scenic river.
As evidenced by his many environmental efforts, Paul had a great love for the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman and spent his entire life enjoying the beauty and bounty provided by the Monocacy and Potomac Rivers. He shared many fishing trips, both fresh and saltwater, with his best friend and world renowned fly fisherman Bernard "Lefty" Kreh. Paul was a founding member and past president of the Potomac Valley Fly Fishers and a founding member of the Eastern Council of the International Federation of Fly Fishers. Later in life Paul became a passionate gardener with a great love for flowers.
Paul was a devoted father and grandfather and is survived by his 3 children and their spouses, John and Joan Crum, Eric and Linda Crum and Holly and Clark Lee. He is survived by six grandchildren, Cullen Lee, Courtney Lee, Brittany Witt, Lauren Godoy, Jordyn Crum,
Hallie Crum, and four great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends on Friday March 27, 2015 from 6-8 pm at the Keeney & Basford Funeral home, 106 E Church Street, Frederick, MD. A celebration of Paul's life will be held Saturday March 28 at 2pm at the Keeney & Basford Chapel. The Rev. John Schildt will officiate. Paul will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
For his love of flowers and Frederick, memorial contributions in his name may be made to Flowers Over Frederick, c/o The Community Foundation, 312 East Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701.
Published Online in The Frederick News-Post from Mar. 24 to Mar. 26, 2015
His ancestors arrived in New Amsterdam (New York) from the Netherlands on the D'Vos (The Fox) on August 31, 1662 and made their way to Frederick by way of what is now New Jersey by 1750. The long association of his family with Frederick County inspired his deep love of country and his love of Frederick in particular.
A member of what has been termed the "Greatest Generation," Paul demonstrated his desire to serve his country when he enlisted as a volunteer in the Army Air Force at 17 years old and entered into active service four days after his 18th birthday. After training, he became part of the 720th Squadron of the 450th Bomb Group often referred to as "the Cottontails" – flying an impressive 49 missions over Europe during World War II. His battles and campaigns earned him the European-African-Middle Eastern Ribbon with six Bronze Stars and an Air Medal with three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters.
After the war, Paul graduated from officer's candidate school in Fort Benning, Georgia and later became a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 115th Infantry Regiment of the 29th Infantry Division of the Maryland National Guard. He served in this capacity for 36 years, eventually rising to the position of Company Commander with the rank of Lt. Colonel.
During this time he also worked as a partner in the family business, Crum Electric, Inc., which was started by his father during the Depression. While working in this enterprise he learned the importance of hard work and providing quality service.
In 1974, Paul was elected to the Board of Frederick County Commissioners. This was during a period of extensive development in Frederick County and he, consequently, was involved in many difficult decisions that affected the growth of the county. He is particularly remembered for his attempts to balance growth with stewardship for the environment as his appreciation and reverence for natural resources guided his actions both as an elected official and as a private citizen. Paul was instrumental in developing and leading the implementation of a plan to stabilize Carroll Creek, which included the placement of instream structures and tree planting to prevent the erosion of the stream corridor. This ultimately resulted in the healthy and aesthetically attractive stream that exists today. He also served as a primary consultant to the development of the conservation and management plan for the Monocacy River that led to qualifying the river for official recognition as a scenic river.
As evidenced by his many environmental efforts, Paul had a great love for the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman and spent his entire life enjoying the beauty and bounty provided by the Monocacy and Potomac Rivers. He shared many fishing trips, both fresh and saltwater, with his best friend and world renowned fly fisherman Bernard "Lefty" Kreh. Paul was a founding member and past president of the Potomac Valley Fly Fishers and a founding member of the Eastern Council of the International Federation of Fly Fishers. Later in life Paul became a passionate gardener with a great love for flowers.
Paul was a devoted father and grandfather and is survived by his 3 children and their spouses, John and Joan Crum, Eric and Linda Crum and Holly and Clark Lee. He is survived by six grandchildren, Cullen Lee, Courtney Lee, Brittany Witt, Lauren Godoy, Jordyn Crum,
Hallie Crum, and four great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends on Friday March 27, 2015 from 6-8 pm at the Keeney & Basford Funeral home, 106 E Church Street, Frederick, MD. A celebration of Paul's life will be held Saturday March 28 at 2pm at the Keeney & Basford Chapel. The Rev. John Schildt will officiate. Paul will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
For his love of flowers and Frederick, memorial contributions in his name may be made to Flowers Over Frederick, c/o The Community Foundation, 312 East Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701.
Published Online in The Frederick News-Post from Mar. 24 to Mar. 26, 2015
Lt Col. Paul L. Crum, Jr, 89, completed his last mission on March 21, 2015. He was born to the late Paul and Hallie Crum on December 14, 1925 in Frederick, MD. He was the beloved husband of Fannie (Dolly) Crum to whom he was married for over 63 years. He is survived by two siblings, Charles Crum and Marilyn Castle.
His ancestors arrived in New Amsterdam (New York) from the Netherlands on the D'Vos (The Fox) on August 31, 1662 and made their way to Frederick by way of what is now New Jersey by 1750. The long association of his family with Frederick County inspired his deep love of country and his love of Frederick in particular.
A member of what has been termed the "Greatest Generation," Paul demonstrated his desire to serve his country when he enlisted as a volunteer in the Army Air Force at 17 years old and entered into active service four days after his 18th birthday. After training, he became part of the 720th Squadron of the 450th Bomb Group often referred to as "the Cottontails" – flying an impressive 49 missions over Europe during World War II. His battles and campaigns earned him the European-African-Middle Eastern Ribbon with six Bronze Stars and an Air Medal with three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters.
After the war, Paul graduated from officer's candidate school in Fort Benning, Georgia and later became a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 115th Infantry Regiment of the 29th Infantry Division of the Maryland National Guard. He served in this capacity for 36 years, eventually rising to the position of Company Commander with the rank of Lt. Colonel.
During this time he also worked as a partner in the family business, Crum Electric, Inc., which was started by his father during the Depression. While working in this enterprise he learned the importance of hard work and providing quality service.
In 1974, Paul was elected to the Board of Frederick County Commissioners. This was during a period of extensive development in Frederick County and he, consequently, was involved in many difficult decisions that affected the growth of the county. He is particularly remembered for his attempts to balance growth with stewardship for the environment as his appreciation and reverence for natural resources guided his actions both as an elected official and as a private citizen. Paul was instrumental in developing and leading the implementation of a plan to stabilize Carroll Creek, which included the placement of instream structures and tree planting to prevent the erosion of the stream corridor. This ultimately resulted in the healthy and aesthetically attractive stream that exists today. He also served as a primary consultant to the development of the conservation and management plan for the Monocacy River that led to qualifying the river for official recognition as a scenic river.
As evidenced by his many environmental efforts, Paul had a great love for the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman and spent his entire life enjoying the beauty and bounty provided by the Monocacy and Potomac Rivers. He shared many fishing trips, both fresh and saltwater, with his best friend and world renowned fly fisherman Bernard "Lefty" Kreh. Paul was a founding member and past president of the Potomac Valley Fly Fishers and a founding member of the Eastern Council of the International Federation of Fly Fishers. Later in life Paul became a passionate gardener with a great love for flowers.
Paul was a devoted father and grandfather and is survived by his 3 children and their spouses, John and Joan Crum, Eric and Linda Crum and Holly and Clark Lee. He is survived by six grandchildren, Cullen Lee, Courtney Lee, Brittany Witt, Lauren Godoy, Jordyn Crum,
Hallie Crum, and four great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends on Friday March 27, 2015 from 6-8 pm at the Keeney & Basford Funeral home, 106 E Church Street, Frederick, MD. A celebration of Paul's life will be held Saturday March 28 at 2pm at the Keeney & Basford Chapel. The Rev. John Schildt will officiate. Paul will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
For his love of flowers and Frederick, memorial contributions in his name may be made to Flowers Over Frederick, c/o The Community Foundation, 312 East Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701.
Published Online in The Frederick News-Post from Mar. 24 to Mar. 26, 2015
His ancestors arrived in New Amsterdam (New York) from the Netherlands on the D'Vos (The Fox) on August 31, 1662 and made their way to Frederick by way of what is now New Jersey by 1750. The long association of his family with Frederick County inspired his deep love of country and his love of Frederick in particular.
A member of what has been termed the "Greatest Generation," Paul demonstrated his desire to serve his country when he enlisted as a volunteer in the Army Air Force at 17 years old and entered into active service four days after his 18th birthday. After training, he became part of the 720th Squadron of the 450th Bomb Group often referred to as "the Cottontails" – flying an impressive 49 missions over Europe during World War II. His battles and campaigns earned him the European-African-Middle Eastern Ribbon with six Bronze Stars and an Air Medal with three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters.
After the war, Paul graduated from officer's candidate school in Fort Benning, Georgia and later became a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 115th Infantry Regiment of the 29th Infantry Division of the Maryland National Guard. He served in this capacity for 36 years, eventually rising to the position of Company Commander with the rank of Lt. Colonel.
During this time he also worked as a partner in the family business, Crum Electric, Inc., which was started by his father during the Depression. While working in this enterprise he learned the importance of hard work and providing quality service.
In 1974, Paul was elected to the Board of Frederick County Commissioners. This was during a period of extensive development in Frederick County and he, consequently, was involved in many difficult decisions that affected the growth of the county. He is particularly remembered for his attempts to balance growth with stewardship for the environment as his appreciation and reverence for natural resources guided his actions both as an elected official and as a private citizen. Paul was instrumental in developing and leading the implementation of a plan to stabilize Carroll Creek, which included the placement of instream structures and tree planting to prevent the erosion of the stream corridor. This ultimately resulted in the healthy and aesthetically attractive stream that exists today. He also served as a primary consultant to the development of the conservation and management plan for the Monocacy River that led to qualifying the river for official recognition as a scenic river.
As evidenced by his many environmental efforts, Paul had a great love for the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman and spent his entire life enjoying the beauty and bounty provided by the Monocacy and Potomac Rivers. He shared many fishing trips, both fresh and saltwater, with his best friend and world renowned fly fisherman Bernard "Lefty" Kreh. Paul was a founding member and past president of the Potomac Valley Fly Fishers and a founding member of the Eastern Council of the International Federation of Fly Fishers. Later in life Paul became a passionate gardener with a great love for flowers.
Paul was a devoted father and grandfather and is survived by his 3 children and their spouses, John and Joan Crum, Eric and Linda Crum and Holly and Clark Lee. He is survived by six grandchildren, Cullen Lee, Courtney Lee, Brittany Witt, Lauren Godoy, Jordyn Crum,
Hallie Crum, and four great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends on Friday March 27, 2015 from 6-8 pm at the Keeney & Basford Funeral home, 106 E Church Street, Frederick, MD. A celebration of Paul's life will be held Saturday March 28 at 2pm at the Keeney & Basford Chapel. The Rev. John Schildt will officiate. Paul will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
For his love of flowers and Frederick, memorial contributions in his name may be made to Flowers Over Frederick, c/o The Community Foundation, 312 East Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701.
Published Online in The Frederick News-Post from Mar. 24 to Mar. 26, 2015
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