Jerry Crites

MORLEY - Jerry T. Crites, 61, died Sept. 12, 2002, at his home.

Born Oct. 10, 1940, near Sturdivant, son of Emerson B. Crites of Puxico and the late Hazel Cooper Crites, he was a 1958 graduate of Puxico High School. He earned a bachelor of science and master of arts degree in counseling education from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau. During his career as a teacher, he taught at Advance, taught history and coached basketball at Zalma and was a counselor at Leopold. During his 25 years of service at Scott County Central School, he served as a guidance counselor and high school principal. Crites, who was on the Missouri State Beta Club Council, also served as a cheerleading sponsor. He was a certified bus driver instructor before retiring in 1996. In 1999, Crites returned to Scott County Central to work part time as a special education process coordinator, a position he held until poor health forced him to limit his activities. He was also a hail and multi-peril adjuster for Farmers Mutual, Rain, Hail and Farm Bureau Insurance Company. A member of the Missouri State Retired Teachers Association, MOCASE, Community Teachers Association and past member of the Puxico School Board, he was also a member of the Kinder Chapel Church.

On Aug. 15, 1959, in Puxico, he married Marjorie Ann Ward who survives of the home.

Survivors in addition to his wife and father include: two sons and one daughter-in-law, Michael D. Crites of Morley and John T. and Christy Crites of Oran; one brother, Gregory Crites of Jackson; and four grandsons, Allen Crites of Morley, Justin Crites of Paragould, Ark., and Mitchell and Shane Crites of Oran.

Visitation is from 4:30 to 8 p.m. today at Morgan Funeral Home in Advance, where services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday with Jim Matthews and Scott Foster, officiating.

Burial will follow in the Puxico Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Ronnie Cookson, Ira Ray Tucker, Aquilla Blissett, Fred Johnson, Danny Farmer, Charles Placher and Ron James.

Memorial contributions

may be sent to the

Jerry Crites Scholarship Fund

in care of

Scott Central High School

20794 State Highway 61

Sikeston, Mo. 63801

Paid obituary