John "Jack" L. Crider

1937 - 2026

John “Jack” Louis Crider passed away peacefully on Friday, March 27, 2026.

Born to Jess Crider and Hazel Crider – Heitman (nee Vollmer) November 12, 1937 in St. Louis, Missouri. Jack graduated from Normandy High School in 1955. He continued his education through Purdue University from 1955 until 1958 and at S.I.U. Carbondale from 1958 until 1960.

As a competitor and coach, Crider was a successful pioneer and ambassador for wrestling in the St. Louis area. He accomplished numerous accolades on the mat and as a coach. Crider was a state champion at Normandy High School in 1955. He also was the 1955 National Greco Roman champion. He went on to have a successful wrestling career at Purdue University and SIU Carbondale. Crider was an alternate for the 1960 Olympics. He was inducted into the Missouri Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1979, was named the National AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) man of the year in 1988, was inducted into the National Junior College Athletic Association Wrestling Coach Hall of Fame in 1989, and many more honors and awards.

Jack began his coaching career at West Ladue Junior High School in 1961 where he was the assistant wrestling coach. In 1966 Jack transferred to Webster Groves High School to become the head wrestling Coach.

Jack Crider spent 22 years from 1969 – 1992 at the helm of the Highlander wrestling program at Forest Park Community College accumulating a 255-59-2 dual meet record. As a coach he had 29 NJCAA All-Americans and 2 NJCAA National Championship wrestlers.

Jack dedicated 58 years of his life to the AAU. He was inducted into the AAU Hall of Fame in 2014. He was named the Missouri AAU Governor for all sports from 1999-2019 and he was the AAU Missouri state wrestling director from 1999-2023. He was named the Outstanding AAU District Volunteer in 2010.

In 1969, Crider introduced age-group wrestling and took a program of 150 youth wrestlers, all competing in the same age division, to over 2500 youths wrestling in structured age groups. He was the founder and head coach of the Rasling Rascals (a little league wrestling team). He was also the head coach for the Blues (little league baseball team) and the Midget Gunners (little league football team).

Crider developed and was the St. Louis Open Intercollegiate Championships Director for 25+ years in which over 500 of the nations best intercollegiate wrestlers competed and included over 30 major colleges and universities.

Jack was a member of the Ironworkers Local 396 from 1956 – 1975 working on several projects including building the gym at Forest Park Community College. He also taught math classes for the iron workers from 1980 – 1984.

Crider was extremely active until his last few years. He enjoyed golfing, traveling, riding bikes, attending Cardinal baseball games and spending time with his family. Jack will be remembered for his great sense of humor, and his life’s devotion to his family and the wrestling Community.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Jess Crider and Hazel Crider – Heitman; his first wife, Judy Crider (nee Highfill); his sister, Judy (Frank) Scydick (nee Crider); and his son Steve Crider (survived by KK) Crider.

He is survived by his wife, Janet Crider (nee Johnson); daughter, Carrie (Scott) Fischer; grandchildren, Matthew (Karen) Crider and Samantha (Zach) Valentine; great-grandchildren Lillian, Della, Callie, and Ellen Crider, and Quinn Valentine; step children Mark Kennebeck, David (Beth) Kennebeck, Brian (Catherine) Kennebeck, and Shelly (Jamie) Reuter; step grandchildren Olivia, Izzy, and Lanie Reuter, Allie, and Ben Kennebeck; his nieces, nephew and many friends.

Funeral Service Thursday, April 2, 10:00 AM at Collier’s Funeral Home, 3400 N. Lindbergh Blvd (St. Ann). Interment at Fee Fee Cemetery. Visitation Wednesday, April 1, 4:00 - 8:00 PM at Collier’s Funeral Home. For those coming to the visitation and funeral, please join the family in wearing your favorite wrestling shirt, AAU shirt, golf shirt or baseball shirt to celebrate Jack’s memory.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.