Alan Crites

John “Alan” Crites, 66, of Jackson passed away Friday, May 6, 2016, at his home.

He was born Sept. 25, 1949, in Cape Girardeau, the son of John H. and Bette L. Slinkard Crites. He and Dixie Niemann were married May 18, 1974, at New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson.

Alan was a 1967 graduate of Jackson High School. Upon his retirement from the U.S. Air Force, he attended Southeast Missouri State University and received a bachelor’s degree in business administration/computer science in 1977. He then worked for Kasten Masonry from 1977 until 2014, retiring after 37 years, as a sales representative.

Alan achieved Eagle Scout with Boy Scout Troop 311, was active in the former Jackson Jaycees and was a former president of the Optimist Club in Jackson. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and loved his Yorkie, Toby.

He was a member of New McKendree United Methodist Church and the Disabled American Veterans.

In addition to Dixie, his wife of nearly 42 years, loving survivors include three daughters, Courtney (Kelly) Peterson and Kacie (Peyton) Sims of Denver and Kaitlin Crites of Jacksonville, Florida; a brother, Rex (Alice) Crites of Jackson; his first grandchild, baby boy Peterson, expected in October; his mother-in-law, Virginia Schobey; and sister-in-law, Deanna Ware of Cape Girardeau.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Dean Crites; his father-in-law, Henry “Hank” Niemann; and brother-in-law, Danny Niemann.

Friends may call from 2 p.m. until service time today at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The memorial service will be at 5 p.m. today at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jim Woeltje officiating, followed by military honors.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Southeast Missouri Food Bank, 3920 Nash Road, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.