Cleland Edward Crites, Jr., age 71, of Statesboro, Georgia went to be with our Lord on Saturday, March 9, 2024. Ed was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania on December 10, 1952 to Cleland Edward Crites and Winnie Bonnell (Chisolm) Crites.
Ed and Nancy Lea Lyle met at work and became CIA sweethearts. They were married on August 4, 1973 at the United Church of Faith in Keota, Iowa. Ed and Nancy made their home in Northern Virginia from 1973-2016 (including 6 years abroad). They then moved to Washington, Iowa until 2019, and finally on to Georgia where they enjoyed life together in the country. Ed was employed by the Federal Government with tours of service in Africa and Europe. First retiring in 1997, he was awarded the Intelligence Commendation Medal in recognition of especially commendable service with the Central Intelligence Agency for more than 25 years, serving our country both overseas & domestically.
Ed’s second retirement (2012) followed 15 years as a government contractor with EDS/Hewlett Packard in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area, and his third retirement (2015) was from L3Company, also in the DC area. Ed enjoyed anticipation of and visits from family, golfing, fishing, hunting, bowling, bicycling (at age 63, he and Nancy trained and rode 435 miles across Iowa in 7 days as part of RAGBRAI), loyally cheering for Washington Football, coaching youth soccer for 19 years in Northern Virginia, serving our Lord in various church ministries, and retired life on the Georgia farm. Ed was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his loving wife of 50+ years, Nancy Crites, his sister, Sherry of Clinton, Missouri, his three children; Rich (Steph) Crites of Kadena AB Okinawa, Japan, Stacy (David) Pablo of Stephenson, Virginia, and Tim (Rachel) Crites of Fort Mill, South Carolina, and his eight grandchildren; Noah, Colton, & Elieana Crites; Isaiah & Brayden Pablo; Myles, Corbin, & Fletcher Crites & baby sister soon to arrive.
The family will receive visitors on Friday, March 15th from 5:00pm – 7:00pm at Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home in Statesboro.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday at 11:00am at Pittman Park United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Jonathan Smith officiating.
Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com
Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home Funeral Home & Crematory of Statesboro is in charge of arrangements.
