Gerald Crichton

Gerald (Jerry) Aron Crichton was born on March 29, 1941, to Hershel and Thelma Crichton in South Gate, California. He was the second of three sons and is survived by Ronald (Ron) and Clyde (Cord) Crichton. He grew up in Compton, California, across the street from his cousins. His parents and extended family co-owned Marshall Ski and Lock in Compton, where they sold and serviced skis, bicycles, locks and keys. He grew up skiing, riding bicycles, and fishing in the great outdoors through trips across the western United States and at the family cabin in Big Bear. Jerry excelled in high school in music, science, and math, playing both the saxophone and the clarinet in school, and in a jazz band with friends. He also built his own reflecting telescope. On the recommendation of a teacher at Dominguez High School, he applied to and was accepted by the University of California, Berkeley, where he graduated with an undergraduate degree in mathematics. He was a member of the Cal marching band, performing at many football games and even participating in a concert that featured Ella Fitzgerald. He later attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he received a master’s degree, also in mathematics. He spent over 50 years in the aerospace industry, working at TRW, McDonnell Douglas, and eventually the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where he wrote the uplink software for many of JPL’s most famous missions. Jerry retired from JPL in 2000 but continued to work part-time until 2018.

In 1966, he met the love of his life, Francie (Wolf) Crichton, while living on the peninsula in Long Beach, California. They were instantly in love and were married four months later ultimately celebrating nearly 58 years of marriage. They initially settled in Long Beach, California but moved to La Cañada Flintridge, California in 1973 where they raised two boys, David (Dave) and Daniel (Dan) Crichton. Upon getting married, Jerry and Francie decided to dedicate their marriage and family to the Lord, actively participating in church and ensuring their children would know both the love and hope that come from believing in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Family vacations touring national parks in their tent trailer were a highlight. Jerry was a father who made building relationships with his children and grandchildren one of his highest priorities in life, organizing family vacations, attending as many events as he could, and helping wherever there was a need. Dave and Dan would go on to marry Kristen (Ewers) Crichton and Laura (Gorecki) Crichton. Jerry often said that he didn’t have daughters-in-law, but daughters. He was a grandfather to seven grandchildren, Danelle (Dave), Ashley (Dave), Kendall (Dave), Shae (Dave), Devin (Dave), Matthew (Dan), and Mark (Dan), and two great-grandchildren, Adam (Danelle) and Austin (Danelle). It was a role he treasured. Jerry prayed for each one and their walk with the Lord every day.

Jerry had a love for bicycling, exploring the roads and mountains of Southern California for over fifty years on his bike. Saturday morning rides were a must, and as he retired, he would ride multiple times a week. At the age of 40, he accomplished one of his major goals: riding a double century in one day. Even in the week of his death, he clocked 100 miles. He took many major bike rides across parts of the western United States, riding the entire coasts of Oregon and California. He loved riding with his brothers, sons, grandchildren, and friends. He regularly organized weekly rides for different groups over the years and developed many personal and lifelong friendships with other riders.

Jerry and Francie were active members of Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena, participating in the Disciples Sunday School Class, where they developed many friendships. Jerry felt that it was his belief in and personal relationship with Jesus that carried him and his family through challenging times. Jerry had a keen interest in the intersection of faith and science. He did a lot of self-study, and in his personal testimony stated that he believed scientific theory has and will continue to be revised to come into alignment with the Bible and answer open questions.

The legacy that Jerry left is reflected through his children and grandchildren. Their love of music and technology, their love of travel and exploration, and their love of biking come from a father and grandfather who spent time teaching them these things. Jerry exemplified that of a servant leader, finding great joy in helping and serving others. His kind personality and love for others will be missed by all who knew him.