CRIGER, Patrick Ray "Pat" - b. October 25, 1941 - d. June 7, 2025

[patyrn]

Patrick Ray Criger, age 83, of Kirbyville, Missouri, passed away on June 7, 2025.  He was born on October 25, 1941 in Wichita, Kansas to Carl Russell and Betty June (McClure) Criger. He moved with his mother to California at the age of two to live with her parents, Charlie and Billie McClure.  Charlie worked as a welder in the shipyards making warships.  Patrick's father was serving in World War II and had been reported as Missing in Action and was later found to have been captured and was being held in a German prison camp.  He returned home at the end of the war.

By the time Pat started school, he moved with his mom and dad back to Kansas.  He grew up in Howard, Kansas on his family's hog and cattle farm where he learned his strong work ethic.  He had a pony named Topsy that his grandfather, Albert Criger, had bought him and a dog named Laddy that he treasured, and they were all the best of friends.  After graduating from Howard High School in 1959, he went on to receive automotive technical training at a college in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.  After college, Pat married Linda Kay Spurlock.  He became a dad to her son and was blessed with the birth of his daughter, Nikki, and his son, Russ, in the subsequent years.

Pat was talked into jalopy racing by one of his neighbors.  He had great success with a 1970 Plymouth Cuda he rebuilt and a 1969 Mustang that he built, racing on tracks in Kansas and Oklahoma.  He also used his automotive training and knowledge to join in partnership with his friend, Loren Venable, operating a body shop and car restoration garage specializing in Ford Mustangs called C-V Automotive.  After three years, Pat sold his interest in the garage and joined his father working in the oil fields of Oklahoma, drilling wells until he moved to Reeds Spring, Missouri in 1994. 

Pat met his loving wife, Sharon, in the early 1990s, and they began a life together.  They were married on June 22, 2002.  Pat and Sharon worked together operating their own craft business that showcased Patrick's woodworking and poetry writing skills. 

Pat will be remembered as a gifted artist, eloquent poet, and a good-hearted man.  They don't come any better. He was a cherished husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend.  He was also an accomplished sporting clay shooter having won many awards and enjoyed spending time with his shooting friends at Ozarks Shooters Sports Complex. 

Pat will be deeply mourned by his wife, Sharon Criger; son, Russ (Alicia) Criger; daughter, Nikki Stowe; stepchildren, Joe Collins and Candace Phillips; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and his stepmother, Frances Criger.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Carla Golden'; and one grandson, Seth. 

Cremation arrangements were in the care of Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory in Branson, Missouri.

(taken from the Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory website)

[Ole Granny]

My sympathy to all Pat's family and friends. Keep your memories close to your heart. He will be missed.