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 After a courageous 13 year battle with cancer, Roger Allen Crites, 64, went home to be with his Lord Jesus on September 23, 2014. Roger was born on December 12, 1949, in Olney, Illinois; the son of Carl and Ethel (Smith) Crites. He graduated from Asbury College and Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.
In his years of ministry, Roger had the opportunity and privilege of serving with wonderful people in several places. Roger served on staff with Tri-State Youth for Christ in Evansville, Indiana, where he met his wife, Jan (Blum) Crites. He also served as Youth Pastor at First United Methodist Church, Carrollton, Texas and was an Associate Pastor at World Gospel Church in Terre Haute, Indiana. For the past 19 years he has served as Pastor of Congregation Care at First Baptist Church, Geneva, Illinois. Roger’s love for his Lord, his family and his passion for loving and serving others will leave a lasting legacy in the lives of all the people he touched.
He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Jan (Blum) Crites, his daughter Amy Gregory (Jim) of Hiawatha, Iowa, his son Jonathan (Monica) of Euless, Texas and his grandsons Josiah and Matthias Gregory.
He was preceded in death by his father, Carl Crites, his mother, Ethel (Smith) Crites, and his brother, Ronald Crites.
Burial will be private. A memorial service will be held on the west campus of First Baptist Church of Geneva on Monday, September 29th.
Memorial gifts may be made to the “Growing to Serve” fund at First Baptist Church of Geneva.
Information from Jan Teel Crites & Malone Funeral Home, Geneva, IL
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Connie Webster (Bandy) (1968)
I remember Roger as one of the kindest, most sincere people I have known. Not surprising that he became a minister. I'm sure he was a blessing to his congregation. Rest in peace, Roger. May God give his family strength.
Thomas Bones (1968)
Roger was the first friend that I made when I transferred to ERHS in my senior year. We met through the First United Methodist Church. He always had a smile on his face and a kind word to say. I was blessed to have known Roger.
Brian Jared (1968)
Roger was my next-door neighbor and one of the four musketeers of my youth (including Wayne Hahn and John Hurn). The memories of Roger are indelibly linked to my childhood, and without doubt we have lost one of the truly good people from our class. I am sure that the Lord had ample reward awaiting his faithful servant when Roger arrived. My thoughts and prayers for his family. Brian