Celebrating the life of
Fretwell G. Crider
June 08, 1923 - January 12, 2016
Dr. Fretwell Goer Crider, age 92 years, died Tuesday, January 12, 2015 after a brief illness. He was born in Centerville, Alabama, raised in Birmingham where he graduated from West End High School, and moved to Savannah, Georgia for the first time in 1940. He received an Associate degree in Liberal Arts in 1942 from what was then Armstrong Junior College, and then graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry in 1945. He would return to UNC at Chapel Hill to earn a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry, but first, he was drafted into the US Army.
After Infantry Basic Training, he was transferred to the Army Specialized Training Advanced Program at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. From there, he was sent overseas to serve in the Judge Advocate General Department with the War Crimes Group in Wiesbaden, Germany. After his discharge, he returned to Savannah where he worked at Armstrong Junior College as an Assistant Instructor. There he met the love of his life, Stella Marie Lyons, and they married at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist on December 27, 1947.
They moved to Texas, where Fret worked as a Research Technologist with Magnolia Petroleum Company for over eleven years. It was while he lived in Arlington, Texas that he began instructions at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church. He became a Catholic on December 23, 1955.
Faith, family, and education became the cornerstones of Fret’s life. He and his wife returned to Savannah yet again, this time bringing four children. He was Chairman of the Department of Chemistry and Physics at Armstrong State College. In 1972, he became Dean of the College at Gordon Junior College. In 1973, he transferred to Middle Georgia College in Cochran, Georgia, as Dean of Administration and served there until his retirement in 1990.
It was during his years in Cochran that Fret was admitted into the second class of the diaconate in the Savannah Diocese. He was ordained a Deacon on May 15, 1985. As a deacon, he served first in the missions of Cochran, Irwinton, and Sandersville, Georgia. After a move to Dublin, Georgia, he served at Immaculate Conception Church until 1995 when he moved once again back to the Savannah area, living at Tybee Island, Georgia. His first diaconate assignment was with his beloved nephew, Rev. John Lyons, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. In 1997, he began his service at St. Michael’s Catholic Church at Tybee Island and continued to work there until his retirement in 2011.
He is survived by his four children: Fretwell Goer Crider, Jr. (Sandy) and Robert Lyons Crider (Meg) of Savannah; Catherine Crider Hall (Joe) of Lilburn, Georgia, and Joseph Doyle Crider (Karen) of Warner Robins, Georgia; ten grandchildren and one great grandchild. He has numerous nieces and nephews from Savannah to Louisiana, including his sister-in-law, Kay Bandi Lyons of New Orleans.
Fret loved serving the Lord; he loved his “Sweet Marie” who predeceased him on May 25, 2014, and he loved his family. He will be greatly missed.
Visitation will be Thursday, January 14, 2016 from 5 until 7 PM with a Rosary at 6 PM at Hodgson Chapel, Fox and Weeks. The Funeral Mass will be Friday, January 15, 2016, at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, officiated by Rev. John J. Lyons. Burial will follow at Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah.
Memorial gifts can be made to the Social Apostolate of Savannah, the Carmelite Monastery of Savannah, or a charity of your choice.
Buzz, Robert, Cathy, Doyle and family, Just saw this news about your dad. He was quite a man! Thanks for sharing him with us. God bless you all and may God grant eternal rest to Fret.
- Kevin Shea, Atlanta, GA
To My Dear Cousins , Our hearts are full with fond memories of Uncle Fret and the joy he spread...so little time we were able to spend with him and your mom but the love we have for them is great. Prayers and love to you all as you go forward in your lives...the threads of our lives intertwined forever and always. With love, Debbie
- Debbie Lyons Dieter, Ruston, La.
Buzz, Mr. Crider is an inspiration to live life for others! Thank you for sharing his life with us all.
- Josh and Jess Jeffries, Savannah, GA
Dear Buz, Sandy, and family, I just learned of the passing of your Dad. Please accept my deepest condolences and know that all of your family are in my prayers. I will light a candle at Mass tomorrow for him. He was quite an accomplished man and a great father! I mourn the loss of both of your parents. Please know that I am thinking of you. I wish that I had heard before today. I remember how much it meant when you, Sandy, and Bobby Jean came to my Dad's Memorial Service and funeral. Find peace in knowing that he is in heaven. I hope he did not suffer before his death. Much love to you and all of your family! Patty Lowe King
- Patty Lowe King, Spartanburg, SC
Robert, Betty and I were sadden to hear of your Dad's passing. He was quite a guy! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God Bless
- Rick and Betty Shay, Savannah, GA
Share your condolences with the family
- Rick and Betty Shay, savannah, GA
Family, I am very sorry for your loss. I knew Dr. Crider from my days as a student at Armstrong Junior College and also from the Immaculate Conception Church in Dublin, Ga. May Dr. Crider's soul rest in the Eternal Peace of Our Lord.
- Roy Banks, Flowery Branch, Ga
May our Lord shine his face upon you and give you comfort and peace. I wish I could sing for your Father's Funeral tomorrow. On Eagles Wings, We will walk and not grow weary, Shepherd me Oh God, Be not afraid.
- Rosanita Farrell , Lawrenceville, Ga
So very sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. What a full and wonderful life he lived! We are praying for your family during this time of loss.
- Mary Ann and Bill Gouveia, Lawrenceville, Ga
Kathy, my deepest condolences to you on the passing of your dad.I hope you know that we,all share your loss and the pain that you feel.I pray that knowing that would would somehow ease the pain and sense of loss that you feel at this moment. May he rest in peace Reynold M
- Reynold mason, Lilburn, Ga
Thinking of you and keeping all of you in our prayers during your sorrow and sadness. He will be missed. But be assured that he is now in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ and is in a wonderful, blessed place of eternal praise, glory and rest.
- Art and Janice Baker, Valdosta, GA
Dr. Crider was my chemistry professor from 1967-1969 in night school at Armstrong. I remember him because he challenged us in every class. I remember his comment at my graduation party; "You 4 are graduating from 2 night classes in chemistry, the first one and the last one." He will be missed by all who had the privileged of having him as an instructor and friend. (AHS Class of'69)
- John Crow, Rincon, Ga
Cathy, Dannie and I and all the SJN choir were saddened to hear of your father's passing. You and your entire family are in our prayers. May you experience God's love and consolation, knowing that your Dad is at peace.
- Rick and Dannie Bell, Atlanta, GA
We are so sorry for you loss but know Fret is back with Marie again and happy to be in his heavenly home. He was a fine man and will be missed. Our loss is heaven's gain. David & Susan Ason
- The Asons, Tybee Island, GA
Dear Cathy and Joe, Yesterday when the news came of the passing of your father I have to admit I was saddened, but relived for your dad and all of you, just as I was for my own father and my own family, back in Sept. of last year. I am the chairman for Garden Club visits to Brookdale Nursing Home. I spoke with a 93 year-old women who said, "I am just waiting to die. I've done everything I wanted to do. Now I am just waiting for the Lord to take me." You know now that I am getting older I am beginning to understand what she meant. So be glad for him and just know he is in heaven with your Mom and Jesus. Much love from the Hugs
- Dr. and Mrs. Carl Hug, Jr., Stone Mountain,, Ga.
I am so sorry to hear about your dad. He was in my husband deacon class. We got to know him very well. I will keep your family in my prayers.
- Elizabeth Kimball, Bonaire, Ga
Fret was a fine man and so kind to everyone. He will be missed by all. Please except our sincere sympathy.
- Viviane Dubuc and Max Hall, Tybee Island, 31328
To the Family: We send our sincere sympathy to the family on the passing of Deacon Crider.He helped many people in his lifetime .You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
- Tom and Judy Mahoney, Savannah, Georgia
Cathy - We are praying for you and your sweet family as we envision your dad walking into Jesus' loving arms. Much love, Tom, Louise, Tony and Ceci
- Monti Family, Snellville , GA
Buzz, Doyle, Robert and Cathy ---Marie and Fret were very special and important people to all of us in New Orleans. I always loved when Charlie and his sister, Marie would have their happy and fun long distance phone calls and I had such fun with Fret when he and I would email jokes to each other. The times we spent at Tybee with them were always full of love and fun. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Love, Aunt Kay
- Kay Lyons, New Orleans, La
Buzz, Robert, Cathy, Doyle and family, Just saw this news about your dad. He was quite a man! Thanks for sharing him with us. God bless you all and may God grant eternal rest to Fret.
- Kevin Shea, Atlanta, GA
To My Dear Cousins , Our hearts are full with fond memories of Uncle Fret and the joy he spread...so little time we were able to spend with him and your mom but the love we have for them is great. Prayers and love to you all as you go forward in your lives...the threads of our lives intertwined forever and always. With love, Debbie
- Debbie Lyons Dieter, Ruston, La.
Buzz, Mr. Crider is an inspiration to live life for others! Thank you for sharing his life with us all.
- Josh and Jess Jeffries, Savannah, GA
Dear Buz, Sandy, and family, I just learned of the passing of your Dad. Please accept my deepest condolences and know that all of your family are in my prayers. I will light a candle at Mass tomorrow for him. He was quite an accomplished man and a great father! I mourn the loss of both of your parents. Please know that I am thinking of you. I wish that I had heard before today. I remember how much it meant when you, Sandy, and Bobby Jean came to my Dad's Memorial Service and funeral. Find peace in knowing that he is in heaven. I hope he did not suffer before his death. Much love to you and all of your family! Patty Lowe King
- Patty Lowe King, Spartanburg, SC
Robert, Betty and I were sadden to hear of your Dad's passing. He was quite a guy! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God Bless
- Rick and Betty Shay, Savannah, GA
Share your condolences with the family
- Rick and Betty Shay, savannah, GA
Family, I am very sorry for your loss. I knew Dr. Crider from my days as a student at Armstrong Junior College and also from the Immaculate Conception Church in Dublin, Ga. May Dr. Crider's soul rest in the Eternal Peace of Our Lord.
- Roy Banks, Flowery Branch, Ga
May our Lord shine his face upon you and give you comfort and peace. I wish I could sing for your Father's Funeral tomorrow. On Eagles Wings, We will walk and not grow weary, Shepherd me Oh God, Be not afraid.
- Rosanita Farrell , Lawrenceville, Ga
So very sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. What a full and wonderful life he lived! We are praying for your family during this time of loss.
- Mary Ann and Bill Gouveia, Lawrenceville, Ga
Kathy, my deepest condolences to you on the passing of your dad.I hope you know that we,all share your loss and the pain that you feel.I pray that knowing that would would somehow ease the pain and sense of loss that you feel at this moment. May he rest in peace Reynold M
- Reynold mason, Lilburn, Ga
Thinking of you and keeping all of you in our prayers during your sorrow and sadness. He will be missed. But be assured that he is now in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ and is in a wonderful, blessed place of eternal praise, glory and rest.
- Art and Janice Baker, Valdosta, GA
Dr. Crider was my chemistry professor from 1967-1969 in night school at Armstrong. I remember him because he challenged us in every class. I remember his comment at my graduation party; "You 4 are graduating from 2 night classes in chemistry, the first one and the last one." He will be missed by all who had the privileged of having him as an instructor and friend. (AHS Class of'69)
- John Crow, Rincon, Ga
Cathy, Dannie and I and all the SJN choir were saddened to hear of your father's passing. You and your entire family are in our prayers. May you experience God's love and consolation, knowing that your Dad is at peace.
- Rick and Dannie Bell, Atlanta, GA
We are so sorry for you loss but know Fret is back with Marie again and happy to be in his heavenly home. He was a fine man and will be missed. Our loss is heaven's gain. David & Susan Ason
- The Asons, Tybee Island, GA
Dear Cathy and Joe, Yesterday when the news came of the passing of your father I have to admit I was saddened, but relived for your dad and all of you, just as I was for my own father and my own family, back in Sept. of last year. I am the chairman for Garden Club visits to Brookdale Nursing Home. I spoke with a 93 year-old women who said, "I am just waiting to die. I've done everything I wanted to do. Now I am just waiting for the Lord to take me." You know now that I am getting older I am beginning to understand what she meant. So be glad for him and just know he is in heaven with your Mom and Jesus. Much love from the Hugs
- Dr. and Mrs. Carl Hug, Jr., Stone Mountain,, Ga.
I am so sorry to hear about your dad. He was in my husband deacon class. We got to know him very well. I will keep your family in my prayers.
- Elizabeth Kimball, Bonaire, Ga
Fret was a fine man and so kind to everyone. He will be missed by all. Please except our sincere sympathy.
- Viviane Dubuc and Max Hall, Tybee Island, 31328
To the Family: We send our sincere sympathy to the family on the passing of Deacon Crider.He helped many people in his lifetime .You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
- Tom and Judy Mahoney, Savannah, Georgia
Cathy - We are praying for you and your sweet family as we envision your dad walking into Jesus' loving arms. Much love, Tom, Louise, Tony and Ceci
- Monti Family, Snellville , GA
Buzz, Doyle, Robert and Cathy ---Marie and Fret were very special and important people to all of us in New Orleans. I always loved when Charlie and his sister, Marie would have their happy and fun long distance phone calls and I had such fun with Fret when he and I would email jokes to each other. The times we spent at Tybee with them were always full of love and fun. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Love, Aunt Kay
- Kay Lyons, New Orleans, La
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
