John Peacock Crisler, Sr., 79, passed away on July 4, 2018. He died peacefully at Huntsville Hospital surrounded by his family. John was born on August 8, 1938 in New Madrid, Missouri to the late Herman Andrew and Jessamine Peacock Crisler. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Tennessee in 1961. John was recruited by NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center upon his graduation. In 1964, he married Marilyn Monks. They built their home in Lincoln County, Tennessee and raised two children.
John worked for NASA for 37 years. During that time, he worked on the Lunar Rover Vehicle, the Hubble Space Telescope, and the Chandra X-Ray Observatory Satellite among many other projects. While at NASA, John received numerous awards including a Manned Flight Awareness Honoree Award, NASA Exceptional Service Award, and several Group Achievement Awards. He retired from NASA in 1998.
John loved being a grandfather. He was a fun, loving, enthusiastic, and supportive granddad to Jace Crisler of Huntsville, AL and Nico & Nadine de Vries of Haarlem, The Netherlands.
Passionate about sports, John played baseball and softball all his life. Most recently, he was an active member in Huntsville’s Senior Softball League. As a season ticket holder, John was an avid fan of the University of Tennessee’s basketball program and rarely missed a home game. John loved music and had a beautiful tenor voice. He was a dedicated member of the choir at First Presbyterian Church in Huntsville.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Monks Crisler, whom he called his best friend. They were married for 54 years. He is also survived by his son, John P. Crisler, Jr. (wife, Anne Shouse Crisler) and his daughter, Cara M. Crisler (husband, Danny de Vries). Other survivors: John’s brother, Dr. Herman Andrew Crisler, M.D. of Memphis, TN and his family; John’s sister-in-law, Melissa Monks of Hazel Green, AL; and numerous cousins and relatives in New Madrid, Missouri.
The family will have a private memorial gathering on July 28, 2018. The family would appreciate in lieu of flowers or other gifts that donations be made in John’s name to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692.
We love you, John/Dad/Granddad, and we will miss you.
11 Comments To "John Peacock Crisler, Sr."
#1 Comment By Allison Williams Heffington On July 12, 2018 @ 9:04 pm
Thinking of you at this time, Cara.
#2 Comment By Ann Hopkins On July 12, 2018 @ 9:11 pm
So sorry, Marilyn.
#3 Comment By Frank & Sybil Baker On July 13, 2018 @ 12:32 am
So sorry for your loss. John was a great husband, father and grandfather. He will be missed by many. We will keep each of you in our thoughts and prayers.
#4 Comment By Lois Chaplin On July 13, 2018 @ 1:36 am
Marilyn, so sorry to read of Johns passing. Being along is no fun. I lost my husband in 1998. Having children helps so much. Of course grandchildren also. Just remembering you and the family during this time. Just lean on the Lord. Lois Chaplin
#5 Comment By Joyce Kelso Johnson On July 13, 2018 @ 1:04 pm
Marilyn so sorry for your loss. I never met John and have not seen you in a long time. I know what you are going through, I lost Bill 15 years ago. I am not doing any class work at this time but if any of us can do anything for you let me know. You and your family will be in my Prayers.
#6 Comment By Evelyn Askins Brown On July 13, 2018 @ 3:43 pm
Marilyn, I have not seen you since Denise and Cara were in school, but know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayer that John’s life well lived will sustain you during these difficult days ahead.
#7 Comment By Tiny and Henk de Vries On July 13, 2018 @ 6:19 pm
Marilyn, so sorry for your loss. We always had a wonderful time with you and John when we visited Cara and Danny in Carrboro. We will always remember him as a great granddad for Jace, Nico and Nadine. We are grateful to have known him.
Separated by the Atlantic we are present with you in our minds and hearts on the 28 th of July in the USA
#8 Comment By Martha Wolf On July 14, 2018 @ 2:37 am
Marilyn
I was so sorry to hear about John. I loved teaching Johnny and Cara. I will pray for you at this sad time.
#9 Comment By Lori Finch On July 17, 2018 @ 12:51 pm
Cara, So sorry to hear about your dad. Praying for your family.
Lori Stevenson Finch
LCHS Class of ’88
#10 Comment By Janneke and Erik On July 20, 2018 @ 3:46 pm
Much love and strength to you and your family Cara. We will burn a candle for your father and thank him for raising and guiding on in life this wonderful, wise and caring woman that you have become. Our thoughts are with you these weeks and when you come back to NL there is a big big hug waiting for you.
#11 Comment By Brent Malone and family On July 26, 2018 @ 10:15 pm
We love you and pray for you during this difficult time. My mind is filled with fond memories from high school and college of Mr. Crisler. You both were generous and caring with your time and home and we always felt welcome. Also, I will always remember his quick wit and straight forward approach to dealing with young adults.