Larry Crites

FESTUS, Mo. — Larry G. Crites, age 62, of Festus, Missouri, passed away Thursday, April 30, 2020, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Festus.

He was born Jan. 12, 1958, in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of the late Emma Lou (nee Deering) and Weldon Crites.

A long-time employee of the Festus City Parks Department, Larry began part-time in 1983, was named as the city’s parks foreman in 1989 and promoted to parks superintendent in 1997. He loved working for the city, which totaled 39 years.

He is survived by his childhood sweetheart and wife of 45 years, Marjorie M. (nee Eubanks) Crites; son, Jason (Jessica) Crites of Imperial, Missouri; daughters, Laura (Ben) Dutton of Barnhart, Missouri, and Cassie (Wesley) Hess of Festus; grandchildren, Addison Crites, Presley Dutton, Emma Dutton and Carter Hess; father-in-law, Eugene (the late Becky) Eubanks; brother and sister-in-laws, Jamie (Helena) Eubanks, Todd (April) Eubanks and Kenny (Marla) Eubanks, all of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Larry was a loving father and grandfather, and his way of always putting others first made him a friend to all he met. He dearly loved his family, his work, his dog, Toby, and making memories on their camping trips.

Graveside service, officiated by Deacon Dan Raidt of Mercy Hospital Jefferson, to be conducted in Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens in Crystal City, Missouri. Memorials donations in his memory are preferred to the Festus City Parks Department.