Dr. John Michael Cryder

Dr. John M. Cryder passed away at his home, in Mt. Sidney, on September 2, 2013 at the age of 68 after an extended battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Cryder was born on July 20, 1945 in Knoxville, TN, a son of John H. Cryder and the late Dorothy Schrader Cryder. He was a professor of music at James Madison University for 27 years where he was the French Horn professor and sound engineer for the Madisonians. He trained many students in the art of sound engineering – several of whom are now in the recording business. He played in the JMU faculty brass quintet and woodwind quintet as well as the Roanoke Symphony for many years. John received his bachelor and master’s degrees from the University of Iowa and his doctorate in music performance from the Catholic University of America. He was a member of the United States Marine Band, in Washington D.C. (the President’s own) and played in the Marine Band orchestra at the White House. John grew up in Plainfield, Illinois and attended Plainfield High School where he played in the Plainfield High School band. He is survived by his wife, Sandra Cryder; father, John H. Cryder of Plainfield, IL; two sisters, Diane Spandet and her husband, Fred, of Lake Villa, IL, and Linda Prosser of Chehalis, WA, and her late husband, John; and one brother, Sam Cryder and his wife, Nancy, of Plainfield, IL. John will be cremated and a memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 6th, 2013 at 3:00 PM from the chapel of Lindsey Funeral Home in Weyers Cave with Mr. Christopher Knoedler officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Hospice of the Piedmont Valley. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lindseyweyerscave.com