91, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, born Sept. 20, 1926, accepted the call Sept. 25, 2017 to return home to his loving Father. Funeral services Friday, Sept. 29, 2:00 PM at Resthaven.
A WWII Navy veteran, Criss was proud to have served his country as Coxswain on the USS Swanson (DD 443) in the Sixteenth Fleet in the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, 1945-46. A devoted family man, Criss was most proud of his 8 children and their individual successes. His family was equally proud of his own success in golf and bowling. A top athlete, Criss made 2 holes-in-one in amateur tournaments, and bowled on church and Shriner leagues for many years, earning a spot in the Bowling Hall of Fame for 2, 300-pt games and a tournament 800-series. If he didn’t have a 600-series or better, it was an off night. As recently as 2016 he bowled in the Wed. Morning Seniors “Can Do’s” team at Seneca Bowl. In its heyday, Criss said recently, bowling was a major social outlet, and he enjoyed many close friendships developed through bowling leagues and tournament travel.
A 56-year member of the Wichita York Rite Masons and Masonic Sunflower Lodge #86, Criss also joined the Midian Shrine Temple where he served as Worshipful Master (1966).
Fresh out of the Navy in 1946, Criss got a job hauling lumber cross-country, then married Darlene Edwards July 18, 1948, and found work with the Santa Fe Railroad that would keep him closer to home. He worked the night-shift as a baggage handler from 1949 to 1968, a job that kept him fit and strong. He worked for Cessna for three years as an expediter, a job he loved and which suited him well due to his attention to detail, his ability to work with others, and his great physical shape. He then worked for a U.S. mail contractor for 11 years as a driver and diesel mechanic, after which he became the head custodian at Goddard Junior High School, retiring in 1991. His wife taught at the high school next door, allowing them to commute together.
Widowed in 2008 after nearly 60 years of marriage, Criss was lost. He joined Good Grief where he found a wonderful person and a new life in Nella Eaton. They married Jan. 2, 2009, and his world expanded to include Nella’s daughter Elaine Bernstorf, son-in-law David, and grandchildren Laura and Phillip, a family who loved him as their own. Jim and Nella spent the rest of his days enjoying each other's company dancing and traveling the country together until COPD took its toll.
Criss was known as someone who could build or fix anything, and back in the day was often called upon to keep the washers, dryers, and cars of various friends and family members running smoothly. He was always willing to help. A life-long Wichitan who enjoyed traveling, Criss made many driving trips with family across the U.S. and to Alaska. A real highlight was being able to go on a WWII Honor Flight to Wash., D.C. accompanied by Nella’s grandson.
His core values of personal integrity, honesty, loyalty, and commitment coupled with always being a hard worker earned the trust and respect of all who knew him. He was a wonderful influence on his children, who all admired his strength of character, wit and intelligence, and giving nature.
Predeceased by his first wife, Darlene, infant son KC, brother John (who died at Normandy on D-Day) and sister Loretta Beougher. Survivors are wife Nella; sister Dorothy Goodwin; children, Colleen (David) Eagle of Prescott, AZ, Cricket (Jim) Curtain of Juneau, AK, Tony (Claudia) Criss of Juneau, AK, Michael Criss of Wichita, Troy (Mary) Criss of Wichita, Shayne Criss of Gainesville, MO, Gary (Lauri) Thurman of Raymore, MO, Kelly (Rhonda) Thurman of Belleville, IL; 19 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
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