Melvin Kenneth Criswell

Melvin Kenneth “Ken” Criswell slipped quietly and peacefully into eternity June 10, 2016, at the age of 87. He is survived by his wife JoAnn of 58 years. Other survivors include son, Mark; daughter-in-law, June; daughter, Julie; son-in-law, Dan; grandchildren, Kevin, Kyle, Karson, Matt and Ashley; many nephews; nieces; and grandnieces.

Ken was born March 20, 1929, in Patricia, Texas. He was the middle child between two sisters; Nina Newland, and Rosemary Osmon. As a teenager his family moved to National City, CA, were Ken entered and graduated from Sweetwater High School, and he attended San Diego State University. After his decision to enter the ministry, Ken attended Asbury College in Wilmore, KY. He graduated from Emory University in Atlanta, GA with a Master’s Degree in Divinity. Ken spent 40 years as a Pastor serving in the California Pacific Conference of the United Methodist Church. His first appointment was Piru Methodist Church where he sometimes liked to worship even after he retired.

Ken and JoAnn met in Long Beach where he was serving Moore Memorial Methodist Church and JoAnn was teaching kindergarten. They were married in 1958, in JoAnn’s home town of Springfield, MO. After serving in Long Beach Ken was appointed to Arroyo Grande United Methodist Church. There he presided over the building of a fellowship hall (named in his honor), a church school unit, and sanctuary with 10,000 hours of volunteer labor. Ken was then assigned to Riverside to serve Arlington United Methodist Church. His next appointment was College United Methodist Church in Ventura, where his children grew up. Next on the list was Grace Community Church in Boulder City, NV, and then Yorba Linda United Methodist Church, where Mark was married. Finally in 1994, Ken retired after serving Lakewood United Methodist Church in California. He and JoAnn moved back to Ventura to begin their adventures in retirement, including Julie’s wedding, travel, substitute preaching, and the welcoming of their grandchildren; their greatest joys.

Ken will be remembered for his loyal caring spirit, his ready wit and sense of humor, his charming blue eyed smile, his devotion to his calling as a Pastor, and most of all for his love and devotion to his family. He was a loving and compassionate husband, and father, and he will be forever missed.

A celebration of life for Ken will be held Saturday, August 20, 2016, 11:00 A.M., at the College United Methodist Church; followed by a reception in the Pruitt hall, 4300 Telegraph Road, Ventura, CA. A memorial fund in Ken’s honor has been set up at the College United Methodist Church for their mission program.

Arrangements under the direction of Ted Mayr Funeral Home, Ventura, CA.