Charles R. Crisp Sr.

Charles arrived to his parents, Walter Raymond and Lois Melissa (Crawford) Crisp on May 31, 1936, in Satanta, Kansas. He left this world on April 3, 2026, Good Friday to some but Great Friday to him! Charles was the eldest brother to seven siblings: Barbara, Victoria, Cheryl, Louis, Richard, Nedra, and Rod. The family moved to Colorado in his younger years where Charles lived until his passing.

He attended Second Central School and Flagler High School where he graduated in 1954. In November 1957, Charles married Dolores Marie Fager and their union was blessed with seven children: Charles Ray Jr., Charlotte Lee, Carla Jean, Candace Marie, Chad Wesley, Clayton Dean, and Craig Alexander.

Charles worked many interesting jobs in his life, including Colorado Constructors on the Flagler to Seibert highway, an Air Force Academy project, Highway 40 to Granby, and on I-25 then known as the Valley Highway. Many local metal farm and commercial buildings and grain bins were constructed by him and his sons. Charlie also drove the school bus for many years, which allowed him and Dolores to chaperone senior class trips. He retired from Kit Carson County Road and Bridge as foreman in 2016. He served the Flagler community through Flagler’s town council and Flagler Baptist Church’s board of deacons.

Charlie was known to be friendly and kind while sharing his dry humor. The nursing home staff thought he was rather entertaining and ornery this past year while they cared for him and listened to his singing.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Dolores, of sixty-six years; his parents Walt and Lois Crisp; in-laws Rhynold & Crystal Fager; siblings – Barbara, Louis and Rick; sister-in-law Donna Petersen and brother-in-law Cecil Gritz. Charles is survived by his children: Charles Crisp of Flagler; Charlotte (Steve) Poet of Flagler; Carla (Frank) Wlodkowski of Newington, CT; Candace (Terry) Payne of Flagler; Chad (Pamela dec.) Crisp of Flagler; Clay Crisp of Severance CO; and Craig Crisp of Flagler; and 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Siblings surviving Charles include Victoria Gritz, Cheryl (Larry) Deffke, Nedra (Ron) Jones, and Rod (Kathy) Crisp and sisters-in-law Linda Manke and Carol Jennings. Numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives mourn his passing along with his children and siblings.

Donations to the Flagler Senior Center, Box 205, Flagler, CO 80815 will memorialize his life and love of Flagler, his hometown.