Charles E. Kriss

Funeral service for Charles E. Kriss will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 28, 2024 in First Baptist Church, Cache, with Rev. Les Banks officiating.
Burial will follow in the Cache Cemetery under direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.
The family will greet friends from 5-7 pm Friday at the funeral home.
Charles E. Kriss passed away on Monday, December 23, 2024, in Lawton, Oklahoma, at the age of 88. He was born on June 20, 1936, in Lawton, Oklahoma, to Elton C. and Mary Louise (Rust) Kriss.
Charles spent his early years in Lawton, attending first grade at Wilson Elementary School. His family later moved to Cache, where he graduated from high school in 1954. On May 14, 1955, Charles married Eva Lee Jones at the Holy City of the Wichitas Chapel. She preceded him in death on April 30, 2022.
Following high school, Charles worked for Boeing Aircraft in Wichita, Kansas, for a year before enlisting in the United States Air Force. He served for eight years, primarily as a flight engineer on the B-25 aircraft. After his honorable discharge, Charles returned to Cache, where he became a business owner. He purchased a service station on Sheridan Road and later owned and operated a grocery store in Cache.
Charles used the GI Bill to pursue higher education at Cameron University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree. He continued his academic journey and obtained a master’s degree, leading to a rewarding career in education with the Lawton Public Schools. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Charles was devoted to his faith. He began preaching in 1979 and served as the pastor of Mission Village Baptist Church for 15 years.  He also served as interim pastor for many different churches to include churches in Indiahoma, Chattanooga, Devol and Walters.
In his free time, Charles enjoyed attending races at the Lawton Speedway and hiking in the Wichita Mountains. He and Eva Lee shared a love for camping, becoming active members of the Good Sams and the Winnebago Club. They also served as campground hosts at various locations managed by the Corps of Engineers, creating lasting memories together.
He is survived by his four children, Karla and husband Denis Hammit, Katrina and husband Roy Meadows, Chuck Kriss and wife Donna and Kassi and husband Mark Tate; seven grandchildren, Charles McPherson, Matthew McPherson & wife Shai, Paula & husband Brian Brinlee, Stephen Meadows & wife Misty, Kory Tate & wife Brandi, Brian Kriss & wife Melinda, and Chelsey & husband Cody Hill; grandson-in-law, Stephen Hanza; 21 great grandchildren; two great great grandsons; and his brother and sister-in-law, Walter and Pat Kriss.
His parents and a granddaughter, Whitney Lee (Tate) Hanza, and a brother, Eddie Kriss, preceded him in death.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Cache First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 437, Cache, Oklahoma 73527.