Patrick Criger, 83 of Kirbyville.

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Patrick Criger, 83 of Kirbyville on June 7, 2025. He was a cherished husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend.

Patrick Ray Criger was born on October 25, 1941 in Wichita, Kansas to Carl Russell Criger and Betty June McClure.  He moved with his mom to California at the age of two to live with her parents, Charlie & Billie McClure. Charlie worked as a welder in the shipyards making warships. Patrick’s father was serving in the war and had been reported as missing in action and was later found to have been captured and held in a German prison camp before returning home at the end of the war.

By the time Patrick 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 high school, he went on to receive automotive technical training at a college in Okmulgee, OK.  After college, Patrick married Linda Kay Spurlock. He became a dad to her son and was blessed with the birth of his daughter, Nikki and son, Russ in the subsequent years.

Patrick 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, Patrick 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, MO in 1994.

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

Patrick will be remembered as a gifted artist, eloquent poet and good-hearted man.  They don’t come any better.  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.

Patrick was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Carla Golden; and one grandson, Seth.

He will be deeply missed by his wife, Sharon Criger; son, Russ Criger & wife Alicia; daughter, Nikki Stowe; step-children, Joe Collins and Candace Phillips; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and his step-mother, Frances Criger.

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