Beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather Clinton Dennis Crider passed away peacefully at St. Peter’s Hospital on Monday, April 25, 2016, surrounded by his loving wife and family after a courageous battle with cancer. He recently celebrated his 90th birthday in February.
Clinton was born on February 20, 1926, to William and Aubine Crider in Kingston, Minnesota. He was raised on a farm where he first gained his love of adventure and outdoors. Clinton was one of twelve children. Being raised in such a large family, there was never a chance to be bored and always someone to play with. His brothers remained not only his childhood best friends but best friends until they passed away.
Clinton grew up during the depression. This taught him the value of everything and to hold on to things even when others may not have. Although he was teased about this, if anything needed to be fixed, he always had the right bolt or tool for the job.
Clinton attended four different high schools. Eventually he graduated from Pine River High School with his future bride, although they didn’t know it at the time. After high school he was drafted into the Navy and contracted scarlet fever in boot camp. While he was in quarantine, his company went overseas. When Clinton recovered from scarlet fever, they discovered he had carpentry experience and was sent to build barracks in San Francisco. Once he finished, he was sent to China by boat where he spent a year guarding the fleet post office. He returned home to Minnesota in July of 1946.
Clinton met the love of his life, Doris, in the summer of 1947, through his brother who was dating Doris’s cousin. Clinton and Doris dated for a year before getting engaged. They were married on June 8, 1949. In the fall of 1949, Clinton attended Dunwoody Institute, for two years, where he received his Architectural Draftsman Degree. In 1951, they moved out to Helena, Montana, where Clinton accepted a job as a draftsman at the Department of Transportation. He worked there for 34 years. During that time, he was promoted and was responsible for helping to map out the State of Montana as we know it today.
Doris and Clinton had three boys: Mike, Colin, and Jeff. As a family they spent many a day camping, fishing, hiking, and just generally enjoying the outdoors. Clinton loved to take his boys hunting. It was something he enjoyed so much with his sons and his two brothers, Traverse and Jack. They would set up a hunting camp and stay there for up to two weeks. He did this until he was 79 years young.
Clinton is survived by his wife Doris of 66 years; his brother Jack (Maxine) of Jefferson City; his sons Mike (Carol) of Helena, Colin (Mary Anne) of Missoula, and Jeff (Rebecca) of Portland, OR; his grandchildren Jay Crider (Stephanie) of Helena, Emily Thomas (Nick) of Boise, ID, Jennifer Iverson (John) of Helena, Joey Crider (Katie) of Helena, and Tim Metcalfe of Helena; and his nine great grandchildren Stella, Charlie, and Ole Iverson, Jacob and Molly Crider, Brayden, Drew, and Rosalia Thomas, and Sophia Metcalfe; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Clinton is preceded in death by his parents; his seven brothers; his three sisters; his granddaughter Candice Marie Crider Metcalfe; and his great granddaughter Lea Marie Metcalfe.
A memorial service celebrating Clinton’s life will take place at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, 2016 at Saint John’s Lutheran Church, 1000 Helena Ave., Helena. A reception will immediately follow in the fellowship hall in the basement of the church. A graveside service with Military Honors will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 9, 2016 in the Committal Shelter at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 and St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1000 Helena Ave.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
4:00 p.m.
Saturday May 7, 2016
Saint John's Lutheran Church
1000 Helena Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the memorial service
Saturday May 7, 2016
Fellowship Hall in basement of the church
,
Burial with Military Honors
10:00 a.m.
Monday May 9, 2016
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Hero's Road
Fort Harrison, Montana 59644
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
4:00 p.m.
Saturday May 7, 2016
Saint John's Lutheran Church
1000 Helena Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the memorial service
Saturday May 7, 2016
Fellowship Hall in basement of the church
,
Burial with Military Honors
10:00 a.m.
Monday May 9, 2016
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Hero's Road
Fort Harrison, Montana 59644
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Allen Stenhjem Family says
Doris and Family
Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you and yours .I worked with Clint for many years at MDOH
God Bless……………
Allen Chambers says
I had the pleasure and honor to have Clint as my first boss when I started working for the Montana Department of Transportation in 1973. I remember him as a very kind and patient person always willing to stop what he was doing and answer any questions this rookie had for him. He was a great teacher and will be missed by all of us that had the chance to work with him.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Clint’s family.
Allen Chambers