John Millard Critcher, Sr., age 79, went home to be with his Lord on Monday, August 14, 2023, in the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston-Salem.

John was born on November 21, 1943, to the late Carnie Carlton Critcher and Judy Thompson Critcher. John was a Watauga County native and lived in the Bamboo community all of his life. John proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He was a member of Howard's Creek Baptist Church, where he was involved with the JOY Group Sunday School class. John was a farmer his entire life. He grew cabbage and potatoes, raised cattle, and was an example of hard work for his children and grandchildren. His life was a blueprint for how work should be done and people should be treated. This laid the groundwork for his sons to start T & J Produce Inc. - a family business that his sons and grandchildren proudly operate to the same standards.

John had an exuberant personality. He was the type of person who had never met a stranger. He could be found singing wherever he went, sharing the gospel of Christ with everyone he encountered, and bragging about his children and grandchildren. John will be greatly missed, but we take comfort in knowing that he is rejoicing and singing in Heaven.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters-in-law: Ed and Vee Critcher, Carlton and Ester Critcher, Truman and Lenore Critcher, Howard and Ann Critcher, Richard Critcher, Harry and Wanda Critcher, Reggie Critcher, and sister and brother-in-law Erma Rae and George Davison. His father-in-law and mother-in-law: D.B. and Ruth Stout. Brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Sam and Claudia Crosswhite, Sharon Bissett, and Denny and Jenny Bumbarger.

John is survived by his loving wife, Dana Stout Critcher. He is also survived by four children: John Critcher Jr. and wife Tracy, Trevor Critcher and wife Gail, Rebecca Mough and husband John, and Tiffany Conner and husband Tim. Thirteen grandchildren: Jonah Critcher and wife Elizabeth, Titus Mough and wife Hope, Jeremy Critcher and wife Ashley, Hannah Price and husband Joseph, Morgan McClellan and husband Nathanael, Joseph Critcher and wife Maddi, Michael Conner, Sarah Rominger and husband Dalton, Benjamin Critcher and wife Grace, Kerrah Conner, Rachel Mough, Bethany Critcher and Jared Critcher. Six great-grandchildren: Elliana Critcher, Audrey Critcher, Seth Critcher, Asa Mough, Caroline Critcher, and Kayce Price. John is also survived by two brothers Rev. David and wife Linda Critcher, and Steve Critcher, brother-in-law Jim Bissett, Uncle Jack Thompson, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for John M. Critcher, Sr. will be held Saturday, August 19 at 2:00 pm at Howard's Creek Church followed by Military Honors from the U.S. Army, the Watauga American Legion Post #130, and the DAV Chapter 90.  A private burial at the Critcher Cemetery will take place following the funeral service.

The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:30 until 2:00 PM at Howard's Creek Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Howard's Creek Church EKG Building Fund, 240 Howard's Creek Church Road, Boone, NC 28607; Trellis Supportive Care/ Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103; or the Critcher Cemetery c/o Anissa Castle, 1779 Deerfield Road, Boone, NC 28607.

The family will receive friends at the home of Becky Mough, 10360 US Hwy 421 S Deep Gap, NC 28618.

Online condolences may be sent to the Critcher Family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com

Hampton Funeral Service of Boone is in charge of arrangements.