Donald L. Crites Sr.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Donald L. Crites Sr., age 82, of Joplin, Mo., passed away Saturday, April 7, 2007, at St. John's Regional Medical Center following a short illness. Don was born April 3, 1925, in Nevada, Mo., to the late Brutis C. and Sarah (Newport) Crites. Don married Dora Carver on Aug. 17, 1950, in West Plains, Mo., she survives.

He graduated from Sheldon, Mo., High School, attended and graduated from SMS and Pittsburg State University. He taught for 37 years, 33 of those with the Joplin School District. Don served as deacon and elder for the Bethany Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Joplin Association of Retired Personnel.

Don served in the U.S. Army in the 20th Armored Division from 1944'-46 with campaigns in the European Theater as a M.P., and was a recipient of the Bronze Star.

Don is survived by his wife of the home; one son, Don Crites Jr. and wife Kathy of Joplin; one daughter, Dianne Lewis and husband Mike of Naples, Fla..; one brother, Loyd Crites and wife Nancy of Reno, Nev.; one sister, Nadine Moore and husband Harold of Nevada; two grandchildren, Sarah Elizabeth Crites and Camille Christine Lewis; three special friends, Del Flannagin, Art Fuller, and Don's pal the Duke of Windsor York.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Wednesday at the Bethany Presbyterian Church of Joplin, the Revs. Brock Watson and Wayne Porter will officiate. Burial will be in Ozark Memorial Park.

Those gentlemen serving as pallbearers will be Calvin Cassady IV, Will Roderique, Robert Stoops, Jim West, Mark Russell and Shawn Burr.

The family will receive friends from 6-7 p.m., today at Mason-Woodard Chapel. Arrangements have been entrusted to Mason-Woodard Mortuary.