J.D. "Jack" Crider

On July 31, 1925, J.D. “Jack” Crider was born in Las Cruces, NM, to Arcada and Ruth (Cantwell) Crider. Being raised during the Depression, work came at an early age and the family moved frequently for employment.

Jack started first grade at the Brazito School in 1931. In 1934, as the economy worsened, the family moved to Pacific Grove, CA. Jack was 10 years old and in the fifth grade. One year later the family returned to Las Cruces where he attended Central Elementary thru the 7th grade. In 1937, they moved to Marfa, TX, to work on a dairy, earning $100.00 a month plus a house. Jack started to school in Marfa and at the end of the school term he graduated to a freshman in high school at the age of 12. In 1938, the family moved to Ft. Davis, TX, and in 1939, moved to Presidio, where Jack attended school until 1940. They moved to Grandfalls in 1940. Enrolling in Grandfalls-Royalty School as a junior, Jack graduated in 1942, at the age of 16.

After graduation, he went to California. This is when he bought the 1927 Harley Davidson 74 motorcycle for $125.00 before returning to Grandfalls, TX, in 1942.

In 1944, Mary O. Tipton, from Matador, TX, came to Grandfalls to visit her sister and brother-in-law who owned the Sunbeam grocery store. Mary was offered and took a job in the grocery store and soon many young men began buying groceries. But Jack “stood out.” They married August 19, 1945.

Jack worked in the oilfields in and around Royalty and Grandfalls, TX. He was a pumper and roustabout for Standard Oil of America. In November, 1949, he started working for Forest Oil Corp where he was introduced to the methods of water injection (commonly known as water flooding) to depleted or low-producing oilfields. He was moved to Odessa by Forest Oil in 1954, where he continued the water flooding operation in Ector County.

In 1957, he was transferred to Columbia, South America, to work on the Forest Columbian Corp District. He spent one year on this project before returning to the Odessa District where he continued as a Production Superintendent until 1967. He was then promoted to Division Production Superintendent over the West Texas Division of Forest Oil Corp Secondary Recovery Dept.

After 25 years in the oilfield, he retired in 1968, and took up ranching full-time. He continued to expand his ranching operation along with establishing Crider Feed Service, which was a liquid livestock feed provider. In 1987, he was encouraged to run for the office of Ector County Commissioner, Precinct 1. He won the election and took office in January, 1988. He contributed much time and energy in saving the Ector County Coliseum from demolition, and saving the residents of Ector County considerable money. After completing his second term as County Commissioner he devoted his time to the ranching business.

Jack was a lifetime supporter of the NRA and enjoyed flying his personal aircrafts and hunting and fishing in various locations of the United States and Mexico.

The family wishes to thank Medical Center Hospital 5th Floor nurses and staff for outstanding care of our dad. THANK YOU, Dr. Acreman and Dr. Kadir! We would also like to thank the staff at Buena Vida for their compassionate care.

Jack is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Crider of Odessa; daughter Donna Kirkland and husband, Ken of Odessa; son David Crider and wife, Nancy of Roswell, NM; son-in-law Steve Nance of Barksdale; grandchildren Koby Kirkland and wife, Catherine of Austin; Chris Hafer and husband, Keith of Odessa; Wayne Watters and wife, Meliah of Odessa; Daniel Watters and wife, Nancy of Campwood; and Shelly Falcon and husband, David of Montell; great-grandchildren Karli Watters, Megan Young, Preston and Ozzie Watters, and Abbey, Cres, and Shania Falcon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Bob Crider, and his daughter Dale Crider Nance.

Family visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Sunday, June 22, 2014, at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, June 23, 2014, at Hubbard-Kelly Chapel with Rev. Terry Pugh officiating. Interment will follow at 2:00 pm at Monahans Memorial Cemetery, in Monahans, TX.

Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home of Odessa.