# James Crown **James Schine Crown** (1953–2023) was the son of [[Lester Crown]], grandson of [[Henry Crown]], and president of [[Henry Crown and Company]] — the family investment vehicle that controls major stakes in [[General Dynamics]] and other assets. He served on the boards of JPMorgan Chase, General Dynamics, and Sara Lee, and was chairman of the University of Chicago board of trustees (2003–2009). He was a significant [[Barack Obama]] bundler. ## Background - Born June 25, 1953 - Mother: Renée Schine Crown (sister of producer G. David Schine; daughter of hotel/theater magnate Junius Myer Schine) - B.A., Hampshire College (1976) - J.D., Stanford Law School (1980) - President of [[Henry Crown and Company]] - Lead director, [[General Dynamics]]; director, JPMorgan Chase ## Death James Crown died on June 25, 2023 — his 70th birthday — in a single-vehicle crash at Aspen Motorsports Park in Woody Creek, Colorado, when he failed to navigate a turn and struck an impact barrier. His death triggered a leadership transition at HCC, with cousin [[William Crown]] becoming president/CEO and brother [[A. Steven Crown]] becoming executive chairman (January 2025). ## Why he matters for the KB James was the operational center of the [[Crown Family]] dynasty at the time of his death — the person who sat at the intersection of defense contracting ([[General Dynamics]]), Wall Street (JPMorgan), and Democratic politics (Obama bundling). His sudden death forced a generational transition at HCC that is still unfolding. He is a critical node in the [[Crown Family]] dynasty page.