Jack Criss

Capt. Jack Criss Succumbs to Polio in San Antonia, Tex. Sunday Morning; Final Rites to be Held in Pampa, Texas

Thon Book No. 2

Word was received in this city Sunday, November 12th telling of the untimely passing of Capt. Jack D. Criss, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Criss of this city. In Brooke General Hospital in Ft. Sam Houston, San Antonia, Tex. Captain Criss had been stricken the previous Sunday, November 5th, at Carswell Field near Fort Worth, Tex. where he had been stationed less than two weeks. According to information received here, the disease with which he was afflicted was diagnosed as polio of the lungs.

The popular young man, who was reared in this community had attained the age of 30 years, 8 months, and 11 days at the time of his sudden death. He attended both the Lusk Grade School and Lusk High School where he was interested in athletics and lettered three years for both the Tiger basketball and football teams. Following graduation he attended and was graduated from Chadron State Teachers College in Chadron, Nebr. with the class of '40.

In 1942 he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps, serving with the transportation group in the African theatre of operations. He piloted planes carrying army personnel to and from Casa Blanca to Natel Brazil. He also piloted planes from the African base to points on the European continent.

Following World War II, he remained in the active reserves and in January 1949, he re-enlisted and served with the Berlin airlift for six months, returning to this country in August of last year. After his return to the States he entered an electronics school at Keesler Field, Biloxi, Miss., and following completion of the course was assigned to Lowry Field.

The late Capt. Jack Criss, his wife, Laneta, and two sons, Jackie and Terry visited in this city the latter part of October, before going to Carswell Field, where he was stricken with the disease that claimed his life.

Details as to the final rites are meager. It was learned, however, that they were to be held yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon in Pampas, Texas.

Surviving Captain Criss other than his widow and two sons, are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Criss and a brother, Grady Criss, all of Lusk, Wyo. and one sister, Mrs. Winifred Crinklaw of Pampa, Tex.

The Lusk Herald

20 Years Ago, Nov 16, 1950

Capt. Jack Criss, oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Criss, died early Sunday morning, Nov. 12, of bulbar polio in a San Antonio hospital.

The Lusk Herald

Capt. Jack Criss Dies In Texas From Polio

Capt. Jack Criss, oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Criss of Lusk, died early Sunday morning, Nov. 12, of bulbar polio in a San Antonio hospital.

The attack had started one week earlier when his hands became numb. At the time Mr. Criss was at Carswell Field near Ft. Worth, Tex. On Wednesday his condition had become serious and he was flown in a resuscitator to the General Brooks Hospital in San Antonio.

The funeral took place in Pampa, Tex. this Wednesday. It is not as yet known in Lusk where interment will be made.

Capt. Criss had been in service with the Air Corps since early in 1942. He had seen much foreign duty having ferried planes and army personnel across the Atlantic and into Europe from North Africa. After the war Capt. Grins worked in Pampa, Tex. and in January, 1949, he re-enlisted in the Air Corps and served in the Airlift. Capt. Criss returned to the states after the Berlin lift

and entered an electronics school at Keesler Field, Biloxi, Miss. And after this course was completed he took and finished an armament course at Lowry Field in Denver.

Capt. Criss was 29 years of age and was born and reared in Lusk. He attended the Lusk Public Schools and later the University of Wyoming and Chadron State Teachers College.

The illness with which Capt. Grins was stricken is the most serious form of polio and nearly always fatal.

The E.M. Criss family left Lusk early Monday morning. Bill Simpson of Chadron, a friend of Capt. Criss, accompanied the family on the automobile trip to Pampa, Tex.

Capt. Criss in survived by his wife, Anita, and two sons, Jackie, Jr., and Terry; his brother, Graydon; his sister, Winfred Crinklaw Criss, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E.M. Criss.

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