Loran J. Critchett

Loran J. Critchett was born on April 26, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois. He

passed away on December 2, 2025, at the age of 84 of natural causes.

He grew up in Mt. Greenwood Illinois, the oldest of four children to

Lamont and Mary. He went to grammar school at St. Christina in the

neighborhood. He attended high school a t St. Bede academy in Peru,

Illinois. I t was an all-boys Catholic boarding school. He often said that those

were the best years of his life. He loved and cherished his friends and

memories from St. Bede. He graduated in the class of 1959 and always

returned for homecoming, even as recently as this past October.

When his father passed away a t the age of 5 9 in 1960, a 19-year-old

Loran purchased his father's service station from his mother. Thus began

the journey that became Loran J. Critchett and Sons and Suzy! Inc. It is a

family operated automotive towing and transport business still operating

atter 65 years. He was a self-made man, and the business was his life's

work. It was his passion and became his legacy.

His first marriage to Gail (Sedor), produced the first three of his sons,

Loran Jr., Darren, and Glen. Then on 7/17/71 he married the love of his life

Suzy (Hughes). I t was a marriage that would last the next 5 5 years. Suzy

gave him his fourth son, Lamont, as well as a daughter, Dawn, who

unfortunately graced this earth for only a very short time.

Loran, Suzy and the boys would love to travel the midwest following

his beloved sprint cars. They were huge auto racing fans and would always

attend the Indy 500. They made many friends along the way. When the

races would come to Illiana Speedway, near Chicago, Loran would take his

trucks out t o push off the race cars. After the races, often the racers would

come to the Critchett compound to eat, party, and even repair their

equipment

Along the many miles traveled, he would often take in many stray

dogs. The family would always have many animals, and he loved them all.

Loran and Suzy loved to travel with their dogs i n his motor coach. When

not traveling, they would love to entertain and throw parties at their wooded

estate.

Loran also had a lifelong passion for trains. He loved steam

locomotives and model railroading. He became an award winning,

accomplished craftsman of scratch-built models. He would often host the

meetings of the Chicago area S Gauge model railroad club at his

expansive layout.

Loran had a reputation of being the ruff and tuff, crabby old man, but

everyone would tell you he had a heart of gold. He helped many people

along his journey.

Loran is survived by his wife of 55 years, Suzy. His sons, Loran Jr.

(Leslie), Darren (Daisy), Glen (Addie) and Lamont (Kerrie). His

grandchildren, Shelby, Adam, Abigal, and Benjamin. And his sister, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local animal shelter.

Interment is private.

The family is planning to hold a celebration of his life and party at

Loran and Suzy's place in Park Forest, Illinois, next spring on the weekend

on what would have been his 85th birthday, April 25 & 26, 2026