University of Chicago Regents Chairman James Crown listens at a conference in Chicago, May 30, 2007. Crown, an executive and philanthropist who recently announced an effort to rally other business leaders to help fight violent crime in Chicago, died Sunday, June 25, 2023, in a car crash at Colorado Speedway. He is 70 years old.
Milbert Brown | Milbert O. Brown Associated Press Chicago Tribune
Jim Crown, an executive and philanthropist who recently announced an effort to rally other business leaders to help fight violent crime in Chicago, died Sunday in a car crash at a race track in Colorado. He is 70 years old.
Crown, grandson of industrialist Henry Crown and CEO of Henry Crown Corporation, was involved in a single-vehicle accident at Aspen Motorsports Park in Woody Creek, the Pitkin County Coroner’s Office said in a release.
“The official cause of death is pending an autopsy, although multiple blunt trauma was evident,” said the coroner’s office, which classified the death as accidental.
Crown’s father, financier Lester Crown, said his son was “driving a race car and hit the wall while turning,” according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
“There was no better man in every way,” said Lester Crown. “He was the leader of our family intellectually and emotionally and he cared for everyone. He was also a great leader in the community. This is a heartfelt loss. There are no words to express it.”
Jim Crown, a member of the Business Club of Chicago, said this month that he and other Chicago business leaders are committed to finding jobs for as many as 10,000 young people, The Sun-Times reported.
“Jim was a pillar of Chicago, a brilliant voice for the Jewish community and a true civic leader who loved our city,” former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama said in a statement. Caring deeply about Chicago and making it a place where everyone can thrive — no matter who they are or what part of town they call home.”
“Jim has given back to the city through philanthropy and leadership on several civic and academic boards because of his strong commitment to investing in Chicago and its people,” Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement Monday. “With his generosity, Jim truly embodies the soul of Chicago. I am especially grateful for his commitment to working with my administration to build a safer Chicago, and we recently met to share ideas.”
Crown’s family business, Henry Crown & Co., invests in public and private securities, real estate and operating companies.
He is also the managing partner of Aspen Ski Company.he served as general dynamicsp.and serve as a director JPMorganhis family said in a news release.
Crown is also a trustee of several boards and committees, including the Aspen Institute and the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. He was appointed by Obama to serve on the President’s Intelligence Advisory Council.
“The Crown family is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Jim Crown earlier (on Sunday) in an accident,” his family said. “Jim’s family asks that their privacy be respected at this difficult time. Further details on plans for a memorial honoring Jim’s extraordinary life will be announced at a later date.”
Crown was born in Chicago in 1953 and received a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1976 from Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts. He received his law degree from Stanford Law School in 1980, his family said.
He later joined Salomon Brothers Inc. in New York as a partner and in 1983 became vice president of the Capital Markets Services Group. In 1985, he joined his family’s investment firm in Chicago.
Crown is survived by his wife, Paula. Parents, Lester and Renee; six siblings; four children; son-in-law; and two grandchildren.