Mr. Herbert Marion Criswell

Herbert Marion Criswell, 78, of Knoxville, TN, formerly of Chattanooga; passed away peacefully at University of Tennessee Medical Center, on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at 2:45 p.m. He was surrounded by family and loved ones, and sustained by his deep Christian faith.

He was born on March 30, 1932 in Ashland, Kentucky to William Criswell and Beatrice Hughes Criswell.

Herb graduated Ashland High School (class of 1950), and participated in football, track, and many other activities. He was lead singer in a quartet called “Gobs of Melody”, which performed on the Ted Mack Original Amateur Hour. From 1950-1954, Herb served as a Corpsman in the United States Navy.

Herb married Carolyn Tarkenton in 1953, and they had three children: Melody Carole, Kimberly Diana, and Christopher Brandon “Chip”.

He founded a city-wide elementary school tackle football league through the North River YMCA in Hixson, Tennessee in the 1960’s.

Herb was in management at General Adjustment Bureau before starting his own company, Criswell Claim Services, in Chattanooga in 1973. Herb was very active in the local and state Claims Associations. He served as an Arbitrator in numerous cases and was considered an expert witness in many areas of his experience. Herb touched the lives of many young and upcoming professionals, who are now in senior positions with major insurance and claims organizations. He sold Criswell Claim Services and retired in 1991.

Herb miraculously survived a ruptured aortic aneurism in 1991, and spent the last 19 years of his life enjoying his family and friends, playing golf, bridge and tennis, appearing in several commercials and print ads, and being of service in his church. He considered every extra day a gift from God, and lived life to the fullest; finding humor in every situation and entertaining friends and strangers with wonderful, funny stories.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 51 years, Carol Criswell; his parents, beloved Stepfather Ishmael Stafford, and brother Jerry Stafford.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Helen McAllister Criswell and her son Doug Porter, daughter Mary Helen Shuff, and granddaughter Savannah Skyler Shuff. Survived also by his children Melody Criswell of Charlottesville, Virginia; Kim Criswell Kahr and her husband Brett Kahr of London, England; and Dr. Christopher “Chip” Criswell and wife Linda of Knoxville and their children Brandon, Jocelyn and Annie. Also survived by the following and their families: brothers Bill Criswell, Tom Stafford, and J.C. Stafford; sister Betsy Stafford, and nephew Wayne Tarkenton.

The family will receive friends for visitation at 1:00 pm on Sunday, October 10 at Hixson United Methodist Church, Hixson, TN. Funeral service will follow at 2:15 PM. At the Hixson United Methodist Church, Dr. Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. will officiate, assisted by Dr. John Bacon and Dr. Mark Gooden. Interment will follow immediately after the service at Hamilton Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Please share your thoughts and memories at ChattanoogaNorthChapel.com

In keeping with Herb Criswell’s tender and generous heart, donations in his memory may be made to The Good Samaritan Fund, West Hills Baptist Church, 409 N Winston Road, Knoxville, TN 37909.

Arrangements are made by the Chattanooga Funeral Home crematory and Florist, 5401 Hwy 153, Hixson, TN 37343.