"Cris" Larry L. Criswell

Larry “Cris” Criswell was born in 1952 to parents Othmar and Nona Criswell. A Portland native, he grew up in the Parkrose area, attending Prescott Elementary, Fremond Jr. High and graduating from Parkrose High School. He was in the band, playing Clarinet, Saxophone and French Horn, and was the band's drum major during his Sr. year.

He joined the Air Force following high school, then following that went to work for Oeco where he did a little bit of everything after starting his employment as a receiving clerk. He met his wife, Barbara, while working there...she relates that upon meeting him she felt as though she'd known him all her life. They were married in 1977, and raised two boys together—their son Chris, and her son Shawn. He later worked for McConkey-Gleason, then for Sulzer pumps, where he worked until a back injury.

Cris enjoyed fishing, board games with family (he was a ruthless Monopoly player) and cooking. He enjoyed watching cooking shows on television, then experimenting, cooking for his family. Sometimes his cooking was amazing, other times it wasn't so great. He had begun to teach his grandson Ryan how to cook also.

Cris will be remembered as a fairly quiet man with strong opinions and a stubborn streak a mile wide. He preferred to remain in the background rather than be the center of attention. However, he was usually convinced that his ideas and opinions were correct. He was, nonetheless, dependable and always ready to help anyone who had a need—whether family or friends.

Cris is survived by his wife Barbara, his sisters Vicki and Terri, his sons Shawn and Chris, his grandson Ryan, and other family and friends.