James Kenneth Crone, 69, of Winnie passed away on Thursday, February 10, 2011, at his residence.
He was born August 16, 1941, to the late J. B. and Iva Mallory Crone in Tyler, Texas. Kenneth graduated in 1958 from John Tyler High School then entering the United States Air Force where he served for four years. In 1967, he joined the Texas Department of Public Safety graduating in class C-67 and was stationed in Winnie as a highway patrolman. While working as a highway patrolman, he attended Sam Houston State University where he received his degree in criminal justice. He left the Department of Public Safety in 1978, to spend more time with his family. He ventured into car and insurance sales before becoming chief of security of Big Hill Strategic Petroleum Reserve when it opened in 1983. He was currently employed with Donovan’s Industrial Services as a dispatcher.
Although his family brought him the most joy, Kenneth could often be found going to Delta Downs, or enjoying a scratch-off and a diet coke. He is most famous for his kidnapping while working as a state trooper on May 2, 1969. The movie “Sugarland Express”, directed by Steven Speilberg, was based on his kidnapping. Kenneth played a small role in the movie. Everyone who met Kenneth couldn’t help but love him and his witty sense of humor.
He is survived by his two sons, Brad Crone and his wife Michelle of Winnie; Rusty Crone and Lisa Salyers of Anahuac; eight grandchildren, Tyler and Tanner Crone, and Zachary Crone all of Winnie, Alston, Raegen and Russ Crone of Bridge City, Terrin and Keely Salyers of Anahuac; brothers, Bobby Crone and his wife Martha of Tyler, Harold Ray Crone and Pat Crone of Katy; sisters, Norma Jean Alfred and Alice Crone of Tyler; several nieces and nephews and special family friend, Atalya Nir of Israel. Two nephews that made him proud by following in his footsteps to Department of Public Safety were Ed Crone and Gary Alfred. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Gerald Crone and granddaughter, Marti Elizabeth Crone.
Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Sunday, February 13, 2011, at Broussard’s, 134 W. Buccaneer Drive in Winnie. A gathering of his family and friends will be 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Saturday at Broussard’s. A private cremation service will be held after the funeral.
I lieu of flowers memorial donations may be to the American Heart Association, P .O. Box 841125, Dallas, Texas 75284-112.
