James Patrick Crippen

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of James Patrick [Patrick] Crippen, a beloved father and husband. Patrick passed away peacefully on September 13, 2024, at the age of 88 at Hospice of Butler and Warren County.

Born on July 9, 1936, Patrick was very active at the Church of the Incarnation and St. Mary’s of the Assumption Churches, the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, Jefferson Patterson Society at the Dayton Art Institute, the University of Dayton Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Dayton Liederkranz Turner, and was Vice-President of the Montgomery County Genealogical Society. He and his wife spent winters in Hilton Head, SC, and were active members of St. Francis by the Sea Catholic Church and its Thrift Shop as well as supporting the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra. 

Patrick was a proud graduate of Loyola University Chicago and Harvard Business School, where he earned his MBA. He served in the U.S. Navy and Naval Reserves achieving the rank of Lieutenant and served in the Air National Guards of Illinois and Missouri. 

He spent his marketing career with Frigidaire International in Dayton when it was part of GM and in Pittsburgh, PA when it became part of Electrolux. He was able to travel the world organizing amazing annual conferences for the Frigidaire, Electrolux, Gibson, Philco, and Kelvinator brands.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Patrick was a devoted family man. He cherished his time with his loved ones and was a source of strength, wisdom, and love. His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched and the indelible mark he left on his family and friends.

Patrick is survived by his wife of 24 years, Suzanne Therese [Szykowny]; a daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer Marie & Holger Hille; son and daughter-in-law, Philip Bradley & Kathleen Crippen; son, John Patrick Crippen; and daughter and son-in-law, Michele Katherine and David Tobin; 8 grandchildren, Victoria Lyn Crippen and her husband Chris Zornes; Bridget Kathleen [Crippen] Jones and her husband Charley; Miles Patrick Hille and his wife Katrina; Conor Patrick Crippen; Kevin Nicklaus Hille; Sabrina Narae [Crippen] and her husband Wil Downing; Jack Kelly Crippen and Hunter Elaine Crippen; and 4 great-grandchildren, Hailey Lucille Zornes, Nathaniel Eugene Zornes, Henry Hayden Jones, and Violet Kathleen Jones. He was predeceased by his wife of 33 years, Elaine Carole Crippen, parents Philip Rose Crippen and Agnes Angeline [Anderson] Crippen, and sister, Judy Crippen Mazzei. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

A viewing will be held at Routsong Centerville Chapel, 81 North Main Street, Centerville, Ohio on September 19 from 4-6 PM. A Funeral Mass celebrating his life and legacy will be held on September 20 at noon at the Church of the Incarnation, 55 Williamsburg Lane, Centerville, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Habitat of Humanity for Greater Dayton or Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley in his memory. The Service will be streamed online at www.olldayton.org