Eugene Criner

Eugene "Gene" Criner, age 93, passed away Jan. 4, 2019 in Sun City West, AZ. Gene was born March 5, 1925 in Haskell, OK to Cal & Rowena Criner. He attended schools there, later moving to Arizona. He served in the U.S. Army as a medic during WWII. Following his military service he returned to Arizona working a few years as a cowboy and later settled in Bagdad where he worked at the mine for some 36 years. After retiring he again began working as a cowboy which he truly loved. Gene was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was active serving in various capacities, serving as branch president in Bagdad and also served in Kirkland. Gene was preceded in death by his wife Betty and brothers Elmo, Cliff, Rusty and Pete. He is survived by his daughter Deborah (Bruce) Davis of Wittmann, sons Elmo Criner of Wickenburg and Stan Criner of Newport Beach, CA as well as 15 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, 11 great-great granchildren and 2 great-great-great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019 at 11:00 AM with a visitation from 10 until service time at the Wickenburg Ward Chapel at Lazy Fox Rd. and Wickenburg Way Interment with military honors will follow in Peeples Valley Cemetery. Friends may offer online condolences at www.wickenburgfuneralhome.com