Ellis D. "Cris" Criswell

Ellis Dowling Criswell, lovingly known as Cris, Mr. Cris, Daddy C, and Chinky to those that knew him longest, passed away peacefully next to his beautiful bride of 60 years. He leaves behind a legacy of laughter, generosity, craftsmanship, and a life lived to the fullest. Born on September 25, 1934, in Hallettsville, Texas, Cris was the son of James Henry Criswell and Alyse Dowling Criswell. He grew up in Victoria, attended Victoria Junior College, and completed his education at the University of Texas at Austin. Cris enjoyed a distinguished career as an engineer and businessman. He worked with Brown & Root and other large industrial and commercial construction companies before becoming president of LaMoyne Builders in Mobile, Alabama, where he built a number of banks and car dealerships. Following his retirement in 1995, he and his beloved wife, Margie, made their home in Wimberley, Texas before finally coming to Tyler in 2012. He married the love of his life, Margie Stamper Criswell, on February 26, 1966. Together they built a marriage full of laughter, hospitality, and unwavering devotion. Anyone who spent time with them knew Cris’s favorite two words were simply, “Yes, Margie.” It became a family saying and perfectly captured both his quick wit and his deep love for her. Cris never met a stranger. He had an infectious sense of humor, a perfectly timed one-liner, and a gift for making everyone feel welcome. He loved entertaining friends and family, especially at the beach house, where shrimp fries, storytelling, and laughter stretched long into the evening and later at the home in the Tyler Azalea District. Every day around 4:00 p.m., it was time for a glass of red wine—a tradition that family and friends happily embraced alongside him. He was endlessly talented far beyond his successful career. If something needed building or restored, Cris could do it. When he wanted to tap into his artistic side, he would create the most beautiful and detailed watercolors of his favorite places or homes from photographs. He was an avid runner, successfully completing many marathons— he was still walking over 2 miles a day in his 80s when his doctor finally told him one mile was plenty. He was infamous for his after-lunch naps but always made time for the ones he loved the most, whether salt-water fishing with family or friends or attending Jazz Fest in New Orleans with his best friend for over 30 years in a row. With his keen sense of humor and zest for life, he could easily make the room laugh with a joke, come up with funny songs on the spot, yell out “Shostakovich” instead of using a curse word— all of which his family will happily forever remember. His commitment to his community was just as remarkable. He served as President of the Wimberley Institute of Culture and was instrumental in preserving and restoring the historic Winter Wimberley House. As a dedicated member of the Wimberley Lions Club, he served as president and later received the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award in recognition of his outstanding service. Cris is survived by his devoted wife, Margie; his son Rick Carroll and his wife Claudia, and his daughter Susan Higginbotham and her husband Roger; his grandchildren, Christopher Higginbotham and his wife Manayia, Jake Higginbotham, and Aaron Carroll and his wife, Whitney; and his treasured great-grandchildren, Lillian Carroll and William Carroll, who brought him endless joy. More than anything, Cris will be remembered as a man who loved people well. He loved his wife more than anything in this world. He loved his kids, his grandkids, and his great-grandkids. He loved his old friends and he loved his new friends. Most importantly, he loved his Savior Jesus Christ, which his family has found so much peace that he is finally with his Maker. Cris’s life teaches us a life lesson to laugh at the laughable moments but most importantly to love everyone you come across in this lifetime. When you have that much love in your heart, life is worth living 91 beautiful years. His family imagines that in Heaven happy hour has just begun, the shrimp are frying, Jazz music is playing, and when someone asks him a question, his answer is still the same: “Yes, Margie” Visitation will be 10 am Tuesday, August 4th with Funeral Service immediately following at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Hwy, Tyler, TX 75703. In lieu of flowers the Family requests donations to the Eternal Flame Fund of Marvin Methodist Church, 300 W Erwin St, Tyler, TX 75702.

Ellis D. "Cris" Criswell

September 25, 1934 - July 28, 2026