April 26, 1945 — February 15, 2025
Emory
After a long battle with Parkinson’s—one of the few fights he couldn’t out-stubborn—Dick, at the age of 79, has finally cast his last line. He left us on February 15, 2025, most likely mid-cast, muttering around about a fish that “was right there” but somehow still got away.
Dick was the world’s best fisherman—at least in his own mind. He could spend hours talking about the “monsters” he hooked, though the only proof ever provided was a blurry photo and a lot of hand gestures. He knew every fishing trick in the book (even the ones that didn’t work) and had enough tackle to outfit a small army of anglers. If there was a body of water nearby, Dick was going to fish it—no matter who was waiting on him to do something else.
In 1968, Dick married the love of his life, Sherry, and together they built a life full of laughter, love, and likely more fishing gear than Sherry ever anticipated. Shortly after marrying, Dick proudly served his country after being drafted into Vietnam. After his service, he and Sherry were blessed with a daughter, Lesha, and a son, Trey, who both inherited their father’s quick wit and strong will.
Dick spent over 30 years working at Gebo’s Farm and Ranch, where he didn’t just clock in and out—he built lasting friendships. To Dick, work wasn’t just a place to be; it was where he connected with others, shared laughs, and maybe passed on a fishing secret or two.
Left to keep his memory alive are his daughter, Lesha Woodard, and her husband, Nathan, of Sulphur Springs, Texas; his son, Trey Crigger of Pierre, South Dakota; his beloved grandchildren, AllieGrace Woodard and Aiden Woodard; his brother, Harry Crigger and his wife, Patricia, of McKinney, Texas; his special friend, Loudele Dowdy of Emory, Texas; and a wide circle of family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sherry, his parents, Dwight and Helen Crigger, and his brother, Tom.
Rather than a formal service, we invite everyone to take a well-earned “sick day,” head to the lake, and cast a line in Dick’s honor. Just be sure to set the hook with confidence, exaggerate your catch, and walk away with a story even better than the one you started with—just like Dick always did.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, so we can continue the fight against these diseases.
Rest easy, Dick. May your knots hold, your lines never break, your tackle stay sharp, and your fish stories live on forever.
