Dr. John Fernando Crittenden Sr., age 89, passed away December 10, 2016 in St. Cloud, Florida. He was proudly born in Shellman, Georgia, the second son of Beverly Malcolm and Marilou (Pinkston) Crittenden.

Dr. Crittenden served in the Merchant Marines during WWII as a Radio Officer and sailed the dark waters of the North Atlantic in early 1945. He served on the first Allied ship to deliver humanitarian aid to surrendering Germany in late May, 1945, to Hamburg. After graduating from the University of Georgia with a Master's Degree in Mathematics, John became Principal of all grades at the school in Bluffton, GA, there meeting his life-long friend, Byron Bell. John moved to Florida in 1954. He was a math teacher and assistant principal at Avon Park High School from 1954-1964 and principal for the 1974-75 school year.

John maintained treasured personal associations with former school staff, faculty and students through class reunions over the years. After obtaining his Doctorate in Education from the University of Miami in 1967, he worked in various positions with the Department of Education, many of these years in curriculum development for secondary education mathematics and vocational, technical, and adult education.

John had a great love of the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing and telling stories around the campfire. John will be fondly remembered by family and friends as a loving father, devoted husband, educator, humorist, and southern gentleman.

John was preceded in death by his parents, brothers; Malcolm and Carl and several fine bird dogs.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Dolores, his children, Laura ( Eddie) Rutherford, Rebecca (Stephen) Ford, Nancy (Larry) Giusti, John ( Laurie) Crittenden, his grandchildren Rachel, Jennifer, Kristen, Kyle, Melissa, Lauren, Rob, and John Allen, three great grandchildren, loving in-laws, nephews, nieces, and a host of long-time friends.

A family graveside service will be held in Shellman, Georgia on April 29, 2017 at 10AM. Everyone is welcome.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Shellman United Methodist Church, PO Box-85, Shellman, Georgia 39886 or charity of your choice.

LUNSFORD FUNERAL HOME

CUTHBERT, GA 229/732-2148