Gary Douglas Crites, 73, of Orlando, Florida passed away on August 10, 2024. Mr. Crites was born on January 07, 1951 to the late John and Teresa Crites in Orlando, Florida. He is preceded in death by siblings Johnny Crites, Harold Crites, Charles Crites, Ralph Crites, Walter Crites, Albert Crites, Raymond Crites, Glenn Crites, Patricia Sheffield and Norma Crites. He is survived by his loving wife Sheila Crites; children Jamie(Amanda)Moss, Billy(Michelle)Moss, Amanda Moss(Jimmy), Brittany(Jeffrey)Wilkerson, Eric(Olivia)Crites, Dena(Derek)VanLoo and Raymond Crites(Laura); grandchildren Kiley, Brendyn, Makayla, Ashley, Jaden, Aden, Levi, Autumn, Taden, Raelynn, Graycie, Kaylee, Brooklyn, Megan, Rayanna, Ryder, Kayden and Embry; great grandchildren Noah Porter; siblings Shirley Harvey, Debra Copeland, Sandra Sande, Jenny Barton, Daryel Crites, Ronald Crites, Theodore Crites and Larry Crites; as well as many nieces and nephews. Mr. Crites moved around a lot growing up with 19 brothers and sisters. Gary served in the Army from 1969-1971 as a parachute rigger stationed in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After coming back to Florida, Gary married his wife Sheila (Dowling) Crites on February 15, 1992 in Apopka, Florida. Gary was a mechanic most of his life, prior to that he owned his own roofing company in Columbia, Missouri. Gary was passionate for his family he was a wonderful husband and father to his children. All his life he gifted those around him with so much musical talent. He played guitar, fiddle and was a great singer. Gary loved fishing and being outdoors. His biggest passion was taking his kids, grandkids, brothers and nephews fishing with him. He will be missed by his many loved ones and friends.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Crites family.
Service
Visitation
Loomis Funeral Home
420 West Main Street, Apopka, Florida 32712
August 16, 2024
5:00pm - 8:00pm
Funeral
Loomis Funeral Home
420 West Main Street, Apopka, Florida 32712
August 17, 202411:00am - 12:00pm
This heritage started 67 years ago with Pastor Herbert F. Loomis, who founded the First Baptist Church of Daytona Beach, Florida, in 1934. In 1938 Francis E. Loomis, son of Pastor Herbert F. Loomis, received his license to practice Mortuary Science and in 1941 established Loomis Funeral Home of Winter Garden, FL. 
420 W Main St
Apopka, FL 32712-3452
Eli Chestnut says
I’m so very sad to learn of Gary’s passing. I had the pleasure of being one of Gary’s nurses these past five months. Gary was one of my first patients when I started on the unit and he not only helped me learn a lot while I was training, he was also so kind and encouraging, which means so much to a new nurse. Gary loved his family so much, would talk about them often, and would always show us pictures of his grandchildren. I’m so thankful for the time I had with Gary. I know he’ll be doing lots of fishing in heaven.
I’ll be keeping Sheila and the rest of their family in my thoughts during this difficult time.
James Moss Jr. says
We truly appreciate you being there taking care of Gary during his fight. I’m sorry that you only got to know him as a sick man. He was truly a character in his prime, and he never lost hisself through all of his suffering and struggles. He will definitely be truly missed by all that was lucky enough to know him.
Thank you for your kind words and best wishes in throughout your life.
Tina Abel says
We are deeply saddened to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this challenging time.
James Moss Jr. says
Thank you for your caring and kind words. Gary never met a stranger. He always treated everyone as if they were long lost friends. He will definitely be truly missed His legacy will carry on for lifetimes. We are definitely a strong, tight knit family, and the impact he has had on each of our lives, will bleed through for generations to come. I see Gary in every single one of his kids and grandkids. So, we did not loose Gary, because he has flooded his soul into all of us, well before he was called home.
We appreciate your words of kindness and support to our family. Sleep well knowing that Gary has connected to every soul of everyone he has ever known, therefore, he will remain with us, even after being called home.
Thank you.
~ Bill and Janice Hollihan says
Our Deepest Sympathies to Gary’s wife Sheila, his children, family and friends.
You will be sadly missed. Thanks for all the music!
Rest in Peace 💙🕊️💙🕊️💙🕊️
James Thomas Moss Jr. says
One of my oldest memories of Gary was over 35 years ago when I first met this great man. He played three kids a funny song on a playground park bench with his guitar.
The memories of Gary playing music will rest our souls. Anyone who ever experienced the heart and soul he put into his music, will carry a piece of Gary’s legacy in their memories for a lifetime to come.
We appreciate your caring and support. Gary will be truly missed, but we have always been blessed to have him, and now we are all blessed to have known him.
Thank you.
Jaden Moss says
Thank you for supporting Gary he was a nice person
jaden says
he was so nice thank you 😔