Harold Dean Criswell was born December 22, 1929, in Todd County, Kentucky, and grew up in Sharon Grove, Kentucky, where his parents operated a grocery store and other small businesses. Dean graduated from Clifty High School in 1948. In 1951 he enlisted in the US Army and served in the Korean War as a forward observer for field artillery (Battery B, 68th Forward Observer Battalion) of the 3rd Infantry Division.
Dean was owner and manager of Dean’s Heating and Air in Mayfield until he sold the business and retired.
He was married first to Mary Virginia Fish for about 30 years until her untimely death. Then he met and married Ruth Hartle Via in 1990 until her death in 2020.
Dean was very active in the First United Methodist Church and Rotary, serving from 1995 to2013 with nearly perfect attendance. During that time he was recognized as Rotarian of the Year, presented the Presidents Award 1997-1998, and was President 1998-1999, among many other roles.
Joining the American Legion in 2000 he served on several committees as well as Post Commander and District Vice Commander 2002-2004; Post Commander 2004-2010; 1 st District Commander 2004-2006; Dept Vice Commander Area “A” 2006-2007, during which time he was presented the Teamwork Award.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ulys Samuel Criswell and Vergie Ellen Wilkins Criswell, his first wife, Mary Fish Criswell, his second wife, Ruth Via Criswell, and his brother, Wayne Delmore Criswell. He is survived by his stepdaughter, Vicki Via Sharber (John), his sister-in-law Maxine Strader Criswell and her two children Eric (Sloan) Criswell and Larisa (Brad) Gregory, and grandchildren Drew and Sarah Criswell and Ragan and Caroline Gregory.
Memorial gifts may be made to First United Methodist Church, the Rotary Club, or American Legion Post 26, all in Mayfield, Kentucky.
A graveside service with military honors assisted by American Legion Post 26 will be held at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, 6966 Old US Highway 45, Paducah, Kentucky, 2:00 pm, Wednesday, December 28, 2022, Reverend Joey Reed officiating. No visitation will be held, friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery. Funeral arrangements are being coordinated by Byrn Funeral Home (https://www.byrnfuneralhome.