Ron Critchfield

Ron Critchfield, age 89, passed away March 14, 2026 surrounded by family in his home in Salinas, CA.

He was born January 31, 1937 in Cleveland, Ohio, a son of the late Edward and Loretta Critchfield. Shortly thereafter, the Critchfield family moved to Salinas, where he lived for over 80 years.

Ron was a beloved and celebrated basketball player and coach. He played both basketball and football at Salinas High School, as well as at Hartnell College and Oregon State University. He received a Bachelor’s degree in History from OSU in 1961.

Ron coached the Palma High School basketball team for 26 years, earning the team 14 league titles, four region IV crowns and three CCS Division IV titles. He sold life insurance for a living with his company, Ron Critchfield, Inc, but he also taught briefly at Salinas High School and Palma High School. He was inducted into the Salinas Hall of Fame, Hartnell Hall of Fame and most recently, the Palma School Hall of Fame.

He was a character whose sarcasm never failed to make people laugh. On any given morning, he could be found “holding court” at Starbucks on S. Main Street. His passions included golf, fine dining, telling stories and spending time with friends and family.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Marlene Critchfield; two brothers, Richard and Russell Critchfield; two daughters, Lisa Swanston and Roni Johnson; two son-in-laws, Marty Swanston and Craig Johnson; five grandchildren, Kelly Swanston, Mitchell Johnson, Sawyer Swanston, Erica Johnson and Cade Johnson; and three great-grandchildren, Fallon Swanston, Rowen Swanston, and Emmett Swanston.

Friends and family agree that there was nobody like “Coach Critch.”