1925
2014
TUPELO – Funeral services for Mr. Jacob Sanford ""Jack"" Cristil, 88, of Tupelo will be held Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at 11 a.m. at Holland Funeral Directors Tupelo Chapel. Interment will follow at Lee Memorial Park in Verona. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today, Sept. 9, and again on Wednesday, Sept. 10, from 9 to 11 a.m., all at the funeral home.
On Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014, at 6 p.m., Mississippi State University will host a public memorial service honoring Mr. Cristil in the Humphrey Coliseum.
A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Mr. Cristil died Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014, at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo following an extended illness.
At the Tupelo service on Wednesday, MSU President Mark E. Keenum will deliver a welcome. Former MSU athletic director Larry Templeton of Starkville will deliver the eulogy with Lay Leader Marc Perler of Temple B'Nai Israel in Tupelo officiating.
From 1953 until 2011, Cristil was for 58 years the sports radio voice of the Mississippi State University Bulldogs.
During his early years working at Mississippi State, Cristil served in advertising sales at WELO Radio and later WTVA-TV in Tupelo, where he resided since 1955.
Cristil was a veteran of World War II, serving as an aircraft engine mechanic in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was a faithful member and longtime lay rabbi at Temple B'Nai Israel in Tupelo. Cristil was a Mason.
Cristil studied broadcast journalism at the University of Minnesota after World War II.
He is survived by daughters, Kay Cristil Clouatre of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Rebecca Cristil Nelson (Andrew) of Tupelo; and grandchildren, Jake Clouatre of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Lindsey Newhall of Tupelo. He is also survived by two sisters, Zelda Cristil Esgro of St Louis, Missouri, and Miriam ""Mimi"" Cristil Lapides of West Palm Beach, Florida; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Mr. Cristil was preceded in death by his wife of 33 years, Mavis Kelly Cristil, in 1988. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Mollie Kabakoff Cristil and Benjamin Herman Cristil of Memphis; by a sister, Charlotte Cristil Hiller; and by brothers, Harold Cristil and Stanley Cristil.
In lieu of flowers, the Cristil family requests donations to the Jack and Mavis Cristil scholarship Fund at MSU, P.O. Box 6149, Mississippi State, MS 39762; the Girl Scouts Heart of the South, P.O. Box 1087, Tupelo, MS 38801; Temple B'Nai Israel in Tupelo, 1301 Marshall St., Tupelo, MS 38801; or Sanctuary Hospice House, P.O. Box 2177, Tupelo, MS 38802.
Condolences may be emailed to [email protected].
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Daddy,not a day goes by I don’t think of you! I know that you are with Mama now and because of that, I can handle your absence just a little bit better! I love you both!❤
Kay Clouatre
Daughter
September 3, 2020
Prayers will be with the family for this great loss. What memories I have of this timeless voice. No matter where the military moved us my father could find jack somehow and we kids always had to be quiet when Mr Jack was on the radio. I could close my eyes and see home. See those players at the Hump running up and down the floor. See the helmets and uniforms on the football players and hear the cowbells clanging as Jack Cristil painted such a real life picture. He took me home those hours my dad tuned in. This was an important part of my childhood. Thank you so much for the memories, Sir.
Gena Counce
September 12, 2014
Loved listening to Mr. Cristil on the radio when he broadcasted the State football games. My thoughts and prayers will be with all the family.
DeSha White
September 11, 2014
RIP Jack Cristil.your family is in my prayers.enjoyed listening to you call the bulldogs games
preston gant
September 10, 2014
He will be missed by many. Praying for his family during this time.
Dot Fortenberry
September 9, 2014
Grateful for your friendship and memories from Congregation B'nai Israel. Rest in peace.
Sheila Fine
September 9, 2014
Friends from Temple B'nai Israel and Alabama. Thanks for ALL the memories and your dedication to Congregation B'nai Israel. Rest in Peace.
Fred & Sheila Fine
September 9, 2014
Our family loved listening to Mr.Cristil announce MSU Bulldog Football on the radio. Thank you for the wonderful memories and may God Bless your family.
P. Ivy
September 9, 2014
Our memories of Jack will live on for ever, it has been a privilege to know Jack as a friend, as an Icon to Mississippi State , The State of Mississippi and to the world of Sports. I will also always remember his Patriotism and his passion and his love of his country.
jan gwin
September 9, 2014
thanks for the memories through the years!
and sorry for your lost
September 9, 2014
Jack, you were loved by all who ever heard that phrase "You can wrap it in maroon and white". There will never be another even close to the job you did for MSU, We loved you and miss your voive terribly.
Charlie and Linda May
September 9, 2014
THANKS FOR ALL THE VIVID MEMORIES JACK...REST IN PEACE...YOU WILL BE MISSED SO VERY MUCH
Chip Madison
September 9, 2014
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Funeral services provided by:
Holland Funeral Directors - Tupelo Chapel5281 Cliff Gookin Blvd., Tupelo, MS 38801
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