Obituary for Bennie T. Cryer Bennie T. Cryer, Minister of the Church of Christ, a man of God so great in the eyes of many men but so humble in his own heart, passed away Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at the age of 86. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joann, two children Jeffrey Cryer (wife Stacy), and his daughter, Calisse Cryer. He enjoyed his 4 grandchildren: David Cryer (wife Ashley and great grandson Raiden), Lucas Cryer, and Justin Cryer all of Yuba City, and his granddaughter Kirsten Bitzer (husband Nick) of Colorado.
Also very special to him are his niece Nancy Elliott and husband Doyle, nephew Michael Howard, and Nieces Molly Baldwin and Elva Jones. Bennie also leaves dear brothers and sisters in Christ, far to numerous to mention, which reside all over the United States. Bennie was born September 12, 1931 in a rural and poor part of south Texas.
He grew up the son of a sharecropper in a very poor but loving household. The family eventually settled in San Angelo, Texas, where he attended Lakeview High School. Coincidently, he and several of his high school teammates are being inducted into the Lakeview High School hall of fame later this month.
He excelled academically and was able to graduate from high school at the age of 16, somewhat cutting back his athletic career After several years of working at various jobs including a bank (only significant because his son Jeff is a local banker! ) the Christian influences in his life led him to become a minister of the Church of Christ, a vocation he continued in until his death. Bennie met and soon married Joann Crews, and they recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.
Bennie and Joann moved to California in 1958 to work with the Garden Hwy. Church of Christ where he was part of a successful ministry eventually helping build a new church facility at 287 Littlejohn Rd. , which at that time was in the middle of a peach orchard and is a thriving congregation to this day.
Bennie and Joann traveled the world as missionaries spending time in the African countries of Malawi from 1966 to 1968 with their children, and in Zambia from 1985 to 1986. Bennie made many missionary trips to the Philippines and also traveled to India and Malaysia. He worked as a resident Minister with congregations in Yuba City, Stockton, and most recently in Olivehurst.
Most summer months for over 60 years were spent traveling the United States visiting numerous congregations and holding Gospel meetings. Bennie was an avid hunter and fisherman, and also spent as much time a possible watching his grandchildren play sports. His favorite pastime was sitting on the back deck of the family houseboat at Lake Oroville, and watching the world go by, sometimes getting ambitious enough to actually go fishing.
Bennie suffered much physically during the last few years but his greatest joy and aspiration was to be in the Church pulpit preaching and ministering to his fellow Christians. We will all miss him and sad for us, but he is now in the place which has been prepared for him by God. Honor is given to his wife Joann, who has been unwavering and untiring in her loving care for him during his extended illness.
The family also wants to thank the staff at Rideout Medical Center emergency and the intensive care unit along with Freedom Home Health Care who all took such good care of him during his illness. The Funeral is under the direction of Ullrey Memorial Chapel and will take place at 10:30AM Tuesday, April 17, 2018 with burial to follow at Sutter Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday evening April 16, 2018 from 5:00PM to 7:00PM To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Bennie T. Cryer please visit our Sympathy Store.
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