In Loving Memory of Wes Crumby
It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Wesley Crumby.
Wes was our business partner for nearly 15 years and served as our COO in Michigan. We spoke with him just a week ago, and we are better men for having known him.
For the past three years, Wes faced cancer with remarkable strength, courage, and resilience, continually defying the odds. We will deeply miss him as a trusted partner, valued colleague, and one of the finest people to be part of the work we do.
Please keep Wes and his family in your prayers.
Life is precious. Live it fully, as Wes did. He was fun, outspoken, and a true gentle giant.
Tom, Alex & Mark
The Life of Wes
Wes Crumby was born on November 24, 1959 in Detroit, MI to the late Clyde Wesley and Opal Mae (Stoddard) Crumby. Wes graduated from Kingston High School and went on to earn his degree from Delta College.
Wes embarked on his journey in the automotive industry at 19, rapidly advancing through various key positions within his initial dealership, eventually securing the sales manager role. His career trajectory didn't stop there; Wes transitioned into other critical roles, including Finance Manager, Used Car Manager, and General Manager, showcasing his versatility and leadership within the dealership environment.
By March 1996, he shifted his focus towards special finance, leveraging his expertise to consult with a broad spectrum of auto dealers across North America. This experience led him to establish the Lot-Pro Sub-Prime Dealer Service, a revolutionary service that became a staple resource for hundreds of dealerships nationwide.
Wes didn't slow down after the sale of Lot-Pro to Auto Credit Express in 2004. He initiated the Ace-Cities Selling System, expanding the reach of special finance solutions to over 500 dealers nationwide. In 2007, he launched Sub-Prime Dealer Services (SPDS), which has since evolved into one of the nation's leading sub-prime service providers, further cementing Wes Crumby's influential role in transforming automotive dealership financing. In 2012, Wes joined ranks with world renowned trainer Tom Stuker and Automotive Retail Expert Mark Gilbert to create a combined company Automotive Training Network. At the time of his death, ATN had become the premier training and automotive management company with offices in Bay City, MI, Scottsdale, AZ and Melbourne, AS.
Wes had a larger than life personality and was never one to shy away from sharing his opinions, especially his political views. His strong opinions, quick wit and charming personality made him someone who was never easily forgotten. Wes was an avid outdoorsman who loved to duck and deer hunt, go fishing and fly fishing and enjoyed spending time riding his motorcycles over the years. He also enjoyed camping and traveling, having the opportunity to see and experience places throughout the world. Whether he was pursuing an adventure, enjoying the outdoors, or simply hanging out with the people he loved the most, Wes lived life on his own terms. He leaves behind a lifetime of stories and memories that will continue to be shared by those who knew and loved him.