Obituary for Hollice Crite Jr.
Hollice Crite Jr. 1937-2020
Dear family and friends, our awesome father and family patriarch, Hollice Crite Jr. went home to be with the Lord on December 21st, 2020. Born December September 17th, 1937 in Arkansas, to Hollice Crite Sr. and Lula Wallace.
Athletic Achievements
Hollice, moved to Shafter California when he was a young boy and attended Shafter High School where he quickly established himself as a standout student athlete in football and track and field. Often called “Superman” as a young man due to his incredible speed and strength, Hollice attended Bakersfield College (BC) after high school and enjoyed a legendary career to which he was honored with an induction to the Renegade Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2010. As an honored alumnus, he carried a lifetime pass to BC athletics and could sometimes be seen on campus watching sports events throughout the years.
Career
After graduating from BC, he became one of the early black entrepreneurs in the city of Bakersfield when he started Crite’s Automotive, an auto repair shop on Union Avenue in the 70’s. His expertise was so well known that many local businesses such as Bill Wright Toyota, Motor City GMC, Carnation Milk, ARCO, and others sought him out for insight into specific issues with their personal and business vehicles. He eventually closed his shop in 1980 to become the head mechanic for an Arco subsidiary known as “Four Corners Pipeline”, which would later become a part of British Petroleum (BP). He retired from the company in 2008.
The Love of His Life
Hollice married the love of his life the beautiful Elizabeth Allen in 1960 and enjoyed a loving partnership until her passing on January 28th, 2019. “Holly and Lydie” as they were called by friends and relatives, or simply mom & dad by their kids, had a beautiful marriage and were rarely if ever seen apart. They went on cruises to the Caribbean, took their children on week-long camping trips and went fishing together as long as their health would allow it.
Family
Hollice was preceded in death by his father Hollice Crite Sr., Mother Lula Wallace, daughter Tonja Crite, sister Barbara Ward, and wife Elizabeth Crite.
He is survived by his two sisters, Linda Labore, and Shirley Wallace, his children, Zella Pettaway (Leroy) Winston Crite Sr. (Mechelle) and Gregory Crite (Tunisha), and grandchildren Tamara Crite, Alex Crite, Winston Crite Jr., Jennifer Collins, Roderick Cherry, Nicole Crite, and Morgan Crite along with a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Hollice touched many during his lifetime. He was leader, loving husband, father, grandfather, and mentor to many… and will be missed by all.
Dear family and friends, our awesome father and family patriarch, Hollice Crite Jr. went home to be with the Lord on December 21st, 2020. Born December September 17th, 1937 in Arkansas, to Hollice Crite Sr. and Lula Wallace.
Athletic Achievements
Hollice, moved to Shafter California when he was a young boy and attended Shafter High School where he quickly established himself as a standout student athlete in football and track and field. Often called “Superman” as a young man due to his incredible speed and strength, Hollice attended Bakersfield College (BC) after high school and enjoyed a legendary career to which he was honored with an induction to the Renegade Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2010. As an honored alumnus, he carried a lifetime pass to BC athletics and could sometimes be seen on campus watching sports events throughout the years.
Career
After graduating from BC, he became one of the early black entrepreneurs in the city of Bakersfield when he started Crite’s Automotive, an auto repair shop on Union Avenue in the 70’s. His expertise was so well known that many local businesses such as Bill Wright Toyota, Motor City GMC, Carnation Milk, ARCO, and others sought him out for insight into specific issues with their personal and business vehicles. He eventually closed his shop in 1980 to become the head mechanic for an Arco subsidiary known as “Four Corners Pipeline”, which would later become a part of British Petroleum (BP). He retired from the company in 2008.
The Love of His Life
Hollice married the love of his life the beautiful Elizabeth Allen in 1960 and enjoyed a loving partnership until her passing on January 28th, 2019. “Holly and Lydie” as they were called by friends and relatives, or simply mom & dad by their kids, had a beautiful marriage and were rarely if ever seen apart. They went on cruises to the Caribbean, took their children on week-long camping trips and went fishing together as long as their health would allow it.
Family
Hollice was preceded in death by his father Hollice Crite Sr., Mother Lula Wallace, daughter Tonja Crite, sister Barbara Ward, and wife Elizabeth Crite.
He is survived by his two sisters, Linda Labore, and Shirley Wallace, his children, Zella Pettaway (Leroy) Winston Crite Sr. (Mechelle) and Gregory Crite (Tunisha), and grandchildren Tamara Crite, Alex Crite, Winston Crite Jr., Jennifer Collins, Roderick Cherry, Nicole Crite, and Morgan Crite along with a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Hollice touched many during his lifetime. He was leader, loving husband, father, grandfather, and mentor to many… and will be missed by all.