Larry D. Criddle

Larry Dean Criddle, Jr., age 48, of Paola, Kansas died August 15, 2016. Larry was born November 23, 1967 in Kansas City, Missouri at the St. Joseph Hospital. He was the son of Larry Dean Criddle, Sr., and the late Barbara Ann (Moore) Lewis. In 1973, the family moved from Osawatomie to Paola. He graduated from Paola High School with the Class of 1986. Larry earned his Bachelor's Degree in teaching at Ottawa University in 1996. His Master's Degree was obtained in 2011 at Emporia State University. He was currently working on his PhD and had completed many hours. Larry had many athletic accomplishments. He was a member of the High School Athletic Hall of Fame. From 1982 " 1986, he was the outstanding Paola High School Athlete. In 1986, Larry placed 2nd at State competition with a high jump of 6"6". That same year he made the Paola High School record high jump of 6" 7". He was All-American in track at Johnson County Community College and was five time All-American of indoor/outdoor track at Pittsburg State University during which time he recorded the high jump record of 7" 1 3/4". He was also Team Captain All Conference at PSU in 1990. Larry was a middle school history teacher at Paola for 7th and 8th grades. He taught in the USD #368 School District for 20 years. While teaching, he was also a coach in volleyball, basketball, cross country and track. He received Teacher of the Year Award in 2006 and again in 2010. In 2001, he received the Young Educator award. Larry started the Hillsdale Elementary Scholarship in 1997 which became the Dare to Dream program in 2003 where money was raised from plays, plant sales, video yearbook, and a children's book he authored. Larry had also received the Fox 4 Crystal Apple Teacher of the Year Award. The Distinguished Educator Award from the Louis and Dolpha Baehr Endowment was given to Larry in 2002. He was very active in the community. He was a board member of the Paola Housing Authority, leader of the Paola Book Club/Theater in the Park, and founder of Paola Community Garden of H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Every day). He established a H.O.P.E. Garden scholarship which will be awarded for the first time this year. Larry enjoyed fishing, gardening, cycling, videography, and reading. He was a life-lessons educator to all. He was a very loving and caring person. This was demonstrated through his devotion to his family and his community. He had a gift for inspiring and encouraging others to realize their dreams and goals. He will truly be missed by all. He was preceded in death by his mother Barbara who died July 28, 2015. He is survived by his father Larry D. Criddle, Sr. of Pittsburg, Texas; brother Michael Criddle (Launa) of Paola; two sisters Opal Clinkscale of Shawnee Mission and Sondra Criddle of Osawatomie; six nieces and nephews Jordan, Jarrett, Destiny, Joshua, Jeremy, and Justin; three aunts Rita Moore, Charlotte Ursery, and Lynn Moore; many other relatives and a host of friends. Contributions in memory of Larry may be given to the H.O.P.E. Garden Scholarship Fund in care of Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 305 N. Pearl St., Paola, KS, 66071. To share a memory of Larry or leave a special condolence message for his family, please click the Share Memories tab. Lighthouse Presbyterian Church, 1402 E. 303 St., Paola, KS Service: Thursday, August 25, 2016 at 10:00 AM Visitation: No Visitation