James Criger

Dick Criger left this world on February 27, 2015 at the age 89. He longed to go where his beloved wife Betty and their son Mark now reside. Dick Criger touched many lives and was deeply loved by his family and by a multitude of friends, church family and care-givers. Dick was born on April 10, 1925, in Howard, Kansas. After graduating from Howard High School, Dick entered the army and served in the 103rd infantry division in WWII from 1943-46. He then attended Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa. On March 18, 1950, he married Betty Robirds in Powell, Wyoming, where he was working for Pan-American. Dick was adventurous in his business life. In Wyoming he started his own water conditioning venture. He also managed the health club of the Jewish Community Center in Denver, Colorado. However, most people knew him as the owner of Big Charlie's Drive-In in Grove. Among Dick's many loves were flying, people, woodworking, and his family. He is survived by his daughter Jeri Williams and husband Ben Williams of Shawnee, OK; his son Craig Criger and wife Susan Criger of Grove, OK; his son Jon Criger and wife Kathy Johnson of Grove, OK. He is also survived by nine grand-children: Bryan Criger, Kayla Criger, Jeremiah and Lisa Johnson, LeAnn and Sean Stowell, Rachel and Ernesto Chavez, and Elizabeth Williams; four great-grandchildren: Jack Stowell, Brody Clingen, Hadley Johnson and Mando Chavez; and one sister, Cora Travis of Augusta, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his wife Betty, their son Mark Criger of Grove, OK, his parents, J. R. and Gertie Simpson Criger, and his brothers, Ralph, Floyd and George. Friends and family gathered to remember and celebrate Dick's life on Monday morning at First United Methodist Church of Grove.

Service Details

Monday, March 2nd, 2015 11:00am, First United Methodist Church of Grove