LEWISBURG, WV – Homer Lee Criddle, 84 of Lewisburg, WV passed away, Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at the Seasons Place. Born October 7, 1939, he was the son of the late Adam and Pauline Bragg Criddle. Mr. Criddle graduated from Huntington East High School and went to on to play football on a scholarship at WVU graduating in 1964. Playing football for West Virginia University from 1962-1964admittedly was the best time of his young life. Homer retired from Greenbrier County Schools and was a US Marine Corps Veteran.
To say Homer Criddle was a success on the West Virginia high school football scene would be quite an understatement. Criddle coached at five different high schools in the state. At three of those, he led his teams to state championship game appearances. It was at his last three schools, South Charleston High School, St. Albans High School, and Greenbrier East High School in which he led his teams to the Class AAA title game. Mr. Criddle had one hundred sixty-seven victories as head coach. He had two undefeated seasons (10-0) while at St. Albans and Greenbrier East.
He was the head coach of the 1986 South team that still owns the most decisive victory (39-0) in the series while serving as an assistant in the 1977 and 1981 games. For his work, Coach Criddle was inducted into the West Virginia Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He was honored by the Morgantown Touchdown Club as the recipient of the Proficiency Award at the 32nd annual WVU Football Banquet.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Nancy Jo Bunn and brother-in-law, Gary Bunn.
Survivors include two sons, Adam Criddle (Amy) and Brett Criddle (Andrea), grandchildren, Kylie, Hadley, Luke and Willa Criddle, niece, LeAnn Hewitt (John), and many friends.