Orvel A. Criqui

Funeral services for Orvel A. Criqui, 84, Lawrence, KS, will be held 10 a.m. Monday, November 17, 2008, at First United Methodist Church, Lawrence. Military & Masonic graveside services will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday, November 17, 2008, at Lyndon Cemetery in Lyndon, KS. He died Wednesday, November 12, 2008, at Brandon Woods Retirement Community. Dr. Criqui was born May 28, 1924, in Melvern, Kansas, the son of Anthony A. and Letha Mary (Vaughan) Criqui. He was an educator and spent forty-two years as a teacher, coach and administrator in Kansas schools. He has two degrees, one from Emporia State University and a doctorate from the University of Kansas. "Colonel" Criqui liked to add that he was also a graduate of the Missouri School of Auction. While at Emporia State University, Dr. Criqui was a member of Phi Sigma Epsilon social fraternity, was the first president of Epsilon Pi Tau, and was a member of Kappa Delta Pi. From 1948 through 1951, he was a trainer and manager for the men's varsity teams at Emporia State. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Dorsey-Liberty Post #14, American Legion; the Douglas County Historical Society; and had belonged over 60 years to Lodge #22 A.F. & A.M., in Melvern, KS. He was a member of the Lawrence Noon Kiwanis Club, the Kaw Valley Corral of Westerners; and a charter member of the Kansas Anthropological Association. He was a life member of many professional organizations. Dr. Criqui was a charter member of the Kansas Anthropological Association and a member of the Kaw Valley Corral of Westerners. He authored several articles about reading, Roman Nose, and Beecher Island; but his legacy to history was the book, Fifty Fearless Men: The Forsyth Scouts and Beecher Island. Among his honors was an award for "exemplary service to the children of the State of Kansas" given by the State Advisory Board in 1973; and an award for "Concern and contributions to the Indian students and the Indian community." An Honor Pow-Wow, honor dance, honor song, and Haskell "H" blanket were given to him in 1986 by South Junior High Indian Students and Haskell Indian Nations University officials. In 1966, he was awarded a Relays watch for 40 years of service to the KU Relays. In May 1990, he was recognized by the Lawrence Noon Kiwanis Club as, "a Substantial Citizen, for his many years of unselfish community service. He was active in the Douglas County Memorial of Honor Foundation project and project and served as Foundation's secretary. On November 7, 2004, he dedicated government markers for two Army scouts who were buried at old Ft. Wallace, Kansas in 1868. Dr. Criqui is a member or has been a member of many other organizations. Although education was his profession, he also was a skilled craftsman and cabinet maker. He married Nadine Swisher on June 3, 1944, in San Diego, CA. She survives of the home. Other survivors include a son, Eugene Anthony, and wife, Lisa, Vancouver, Canada; a daughter, Kathleen Marie, and husband, James Golden, Lancaster, CA; a brother, Marvin, Onaga, KS; four grandchildren, Michael, Christina, Andrew and Timothy Golden; two great-grandsons, Aiden Betzer, Henry Golden. He was preceded in death by his parents. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the American Dorsey-Liberty Post #14, American Legion or to the Douglas County Historical Society, and sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary The family will greet friends from 5-6:30 p.m. Sunday at the mortuary. Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com Subject: Criqui Orvel A. Criqui