Jim Crossen

Jim Crossen, aged 69, was promoted to Glory on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016 (Alaska Day).

He was born on Jan. 2, 1947, in Washington D.C. and spent his childhood in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. The Army brought him to Alaska in 1969, and he never left. He was the epitome of the Alaskan man. He lived in Petersville and helped build the Oil Well Road when it was just a trail. He lived on Paradise Lake in the mouth of Rainey Pass for 25 years where he lived a subsistence life-style, hunting, fishing, and trapping. He built log cabins for clients all over South Central Alaska.

Jim was raised with a basic knowledge of the Christian faith, and he was a Christian for 31 years. While living in the bush, he began listening to Christian radio and reading the Bible for himself. He came to understand it was about a relationship, not a religion. In his mid-thirties, he came to know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).

He loved children, especially his nephews and their kids. He never met a stranger.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Gail and Jane.

He leaves his wife of 30 years, Christine (Chrissi); his beloved nephews Geoff (Dani), Darren (Brittney), Jaysane, Zach, Henry, and Eddie; his grandnieces and nephews Avry, Grace, Korbin, and Jacob; and his brothers John (Kitty) and David (Pam); and his sister Carol.

Donations may be made to Samaritans Purse or the American Heart Association. Because of his love for children, Jim would want you to fill a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child.

The celebration of life service will be Saturday, October 22, at 2:00pm, at Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake.