Colonel Harold Frederick Crites

March 3,1946 - July 16, 2024

Colonel Harold F. Crites, 78, went west on July 16, 2024 after a short illness. Hal was born in Wilmington, Ohio on March 3,1946, to the late Harold W and Jean (Bird) Crites

He and his brothers Jack and Joe grew up on a farm just outside of town. He graduated from Wilmington City Schools. Hal was a Proud Buckeye, attending The Ohio State University, where he earned a BS in Agricultural Economics in 1968. He was a member of The OSU Marching Band (baritone), Alpha Gamma Sigma Fraternity, and Army ROTC.

At graduation he was commissioned a second lieutenant and sent to armor school to learn to lead tank platoons. After a year in Germany, he returned to the US and went to pilot training. As an Army Aviator, he went to Vietnam and flew Bird Dogs as a forward air controller. His duties included registering artillery, directing artillery, directing airstrikes, and whatever else was needed on any particular mission. While flying Bird Dogs, Hal was shot down three times. Each time he was able to land on a rice paddy dike and was rescued by a helicopter gunship.

After leaving active duty, he came home and farmed with the family for many years. He continued his military service with the Ohio Army National Guard, retiring as a colonel. In retirement he volunteered to help run programs with the Veterans Administration. After farming, he worked at ABX Air as a Logistics Manager.

Hal had a life long passion for boating. He made a second home on a houseboat on Lake Norris in Tennessee. He had many wonderful friends there and enjoyed many years on the lake. It was his happy place.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy, in 2023, and his daughter Melanie Gall in 2014. He is survived by his brother, Joseph R Crites, daughter Tina Maynard and her husband Klay, his son Harold Robert (Bobby), his stepson Steven Green and his wife Mary, his stepdaughter Katherine Richardson and her husband Grant, many grand and great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins with whom he was close.

A celebration of life including military honors is planned for September 21, 2024 at the American Legion Post 49, 140 East Locust Street, Wilmington, Ohio 45177 from 1-4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Wilmington American Legion Post 49.

Clear skies and fair winds Colonel.

Hal was a member of the marching band from 1964 through 1968. He played Baritone in M-Row.