James Cron

James J. Cron James J. Cron ?Jim? of Alexandria, Minnesota and formerly of Edina died on October 20, 2010, at the age of 80 years. He was a twenty-one year resident of Alexandria. Jim was born on September 20, 1930, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the son of Alvin and Agnes (Plunkett) Cron. The family moved to Minneapolis where Jim graduated from Washburn High School in 1948. He then attended the University of Minnesota and graduated in 1952 with a major in accounting. Jim joined the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, attended Officer?s Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island and Naval Intelligence School in Washington, DC. Following that graduation he reported aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Yorktown, as the ship?s Air Intelligence Officer. Jim was Honorably Discharged in January 1956. He then began his business career which included seven years with Friden as Systems Manager and twenty years with Control Data Corporation where he attained the position of Vice-President Marketing. The top two priorities in Jim?s life were family and church. He found retirement a great joy due to his many interests; stamp and coin collecting, photography, tennis, duck hunting, walleye fishing in Canada, boating, foreign travel, wintering in Naples, Florida, and, of course, time spent with family and his many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Bob and Bill Cron, and his sister Peg Robertson. Survivors include his loving wife, Jo Ellen, and six children and eight grandchildren. His loving daughters are Anne (Bill) Franks of Roswell, Georgia and Shannon Cron of Bemidji, Minnesota. His loving sons include Jim Jr. (Mary) of Eden Priairie, Minnesota, John (Sarah) of Two Harbors, Minnesota, Chris (Nikki) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and stepson Andrew (Shawna) Wachter of Vail, Colorado. Grandchildren include Shannon, Jimmy, and Tommy Cron of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Jonathan and Sydney Franks of Roswell, Georgia, Tieg and Skogen Wachter of Vail, Colorado, and Jude Cron of Minneapolis. Also surviving is Jim?s sister, Joanne Lane of Dayton, Ohio. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 4:00 pm on Friday, October 29, 2010, from the St. Mary?s Catholic Church in Alexandria. Interment will be in the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be Sam Thorpe, Everett Tessmer, Bill Grover, Dean Laurance, Bob Kisch, and Jim Chan. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home. www.andersonfuneral.net