Neil Rush Crites

Neil Rush Crites, a long-time resident of Dallas and Hunt, Texas passed away peacefully surrounded by family in Waco, Texas January 5, 2024.

Memorial Celebration: 2pm Saturday, January 20 at Hunt United Methodist Church 120 Merritt Road, Hunt, Texas 78024. A reception at the church will follow the service.

Neil was born in Ft. Worth, Texas to Emery Dalbey Crites and Margaret Isabel King March 31, 1931. His first job was working as a Dallas Morning News paperboy in East Dallas. He was in the Order of the Arrow and an Eagle Scout. Neil graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1949. While there, he was active in Junior ROTC, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant and Sharpshooter. In 1954, Neil graduated from North Texas State University (now University of North Texas) with a degree in Business Administration. During college, he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity and served in the Navy Reserves.

Neil met the love of his life, Grace Elizabeth Nolen, and they were married September 3, 1955 in Christ Episcopal Church in Dallas. They both said they “won the lottery” when it came to finding a spouse, and they enjoyed 68 wonderful years of marriage.

The Crites had four beautiful daughters who said that Neil could’ve written the book on how to be the perfect “girl dad.” Neil spent his entire life supporting the girls and their many endeavors, and attending every rehearsal, performance, rodeo, game, and competition for kids, grandkids, and even great-grandkids. Regular family trips in the summer were the norm, but winter trips to ski were Neil’s favorite. He also bred quarter horses on their Ranchero property in Plano. Neil was the rock of a close-knit family that flourished under his love and direction.

Neil worked for Texas Instruments in their accounting department for many years, but while raising his family worked late-night hours to earn both an MBA and his real estate license. He started Crites Realty and began a successful commercial and ranch real estate business. Neil was always industrious and was a homebuilder and invested in oil and gas interests.

In 1961, Grace was shopping at Reynolds-Penland in Dallas and won their door prize of two Dallas Cowboys season tickets. Neil was a dedicated Cowboys fan, and that began a tradition of being a season ticket holder for nearly 20 years.

One of Neil’s other passions was the Texas Hill Country, and he purchased pristine land along the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas and built a 2-room cabin. From there, over the course of 43 years, he gradually built–piece-by-piece–a beautiful ranch property that became an oasis and retreat for the entire extended family. Neil was an active member of the Hunt Community and served in many roles with the Hunt United Methodist Church, including being a board member and expert beverage server. He gave regular service to Meals on Wheels and Habitat for Humanity. He was also a major booster of the Former Texas Ranger Foundation.

Neil loved sailboats and racing and had several crafts over the years, beginning with a sunfish on Cedar Creek Lake, a Pacific Seacraft on Lake Texoma, and a slip at White Rock Lake with a Corinthian 19. He eventually owned a 32-foot Hunter Vision on Clear Lake which he named the “Grace E.” in honor of his wife. Neil loved every moment he spent on the water.

Neil was the epitome of a “True Texas Gentleman” and was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Whenever he was served a meal his family made for him, he always said it was “the best meal I ever ate” and that the cook was “an excellent chef.” He loved the American West, John Wayne movies, and collected western memorabilia.

He is survived by his wife, Grace of New Braunfels; four daughters, Catherine Swena and husband Stanley of Houston, Jennifer McCollum and husband Mark of Waco, Elisabeth Crites of New Braunfels, and Amanda Holland and husband Brad of Waco; grandchildren, Matthew McCollum and wife Courtney, Madeline McCollum, Georgie Holland, Georgia Hamby, Hank Holland and Hudson Hamby; and great grandchildren, Audrey Kate, Leighton, Jackson, and Sloane McCollum.

The family suggests donations be made to the Hunt United Methodist Church (www.HuntUMC.org). Those who attend the memorial service are invited to a reception to be held at the church immediately following the service.