E. Richard Criss

E. Richard “Dick” Criss, Jr., age 72 of Austin died Saturday, June 12, 2004 at Seton Medical Center in Austin. He was born in Harlingen, Texas to E. Richard Criss, Sr. and Dorothy Rose Criss on September 10, 1931. He grew up in Houston, Texas and graduated from Lamar High School in 1949. He then attended Southern Methodist University where he was a Phi Delta Theta and played varsity baseball. In 1952, he joined the United States Marine Corps and served during the Korean War. He received the National Defense Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. Upon the completion of his service to the Marines, he graduated from the University of Texas earning a B.B.A in accounting with honors. He earned his L.L.B. from the University of Texas Law School with honors in 1960. He was a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, national honorary business fraternity and Beta Alpha Psi, national honorary accounting fraternity. Dick was Associate Editor of the Texas Law Review and scored the highest grade in the state on his Bar Exam. He began his law practice with Robert Mueller in 1960. During that time he served as Parliamentarian of the Texas Senate. In 1962 he joined the firm of Brown, Sparks and Erwin where he practiced law for twenty years. He pursued his master’s degree at Southern Methodist University where he earned his L.L.M in Tax Law. For the past eleven years he has practiced law as a solo-practioner, serving as primary counsel for both the Texas Medical Foundation (TMF) and the Texas Medical Association Insurance Trust (TMAIT). Dick served on the Board of Directors of the Salvation Army for many years and was an active Jaycee member as well as numerous other civic organizations. He was an avid golfer and was a member of Onion Creek Country Club where he served on the Board of Directors. The most important thing in his life was his family. Nothing made him happier than having his family with him and spending time together. He is survived by his wife, Patricia of 48 years, daughter Mila Hightower of Tyler, daughter Maureen and her husband Charlie Mathis of San Marcos, daughter Kathy and her husband Gerald Barker of Tyler, seven grandchildren, his sister Sue Weikman and her husband Don Weikman, sister Carol Holloway and her husband Gordon Holloway, three nieces and three nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be held at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas, 78705. 512-452-8811. The family will receive friends Tuesday, June 15 from 6 until 8 pm at the funeral home where the memorial service will be held Wednesday, June 16 at 10:00 am. Honorary Pallbearers are: Gerald Barker, Gary Calabrese, Howard Crow, Bob Dion, Gordon Holloway, Jack Maroney, Charlie Mathis and Bernie Peskin. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Salvation Army, American Cancer Society or the charity of their choice. You may view memorials online at wcfish.com