James Edgar Criner age 72 of Galax, Virginia passed away Wednesday, December 10, 2014 in the Twin County Regional Hospital.

Mr. Criner was born on July 7, 1942 in Fries, Virginia to the late Charlie and Maude Blanche Farmer Criner. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a daughter Lara Kay Criner; sister Mary Sue Criner Land and brothers Raymond Carl Criner; Clyde Junior Criner and Calvin Leonard Criner.

He proudly served our country in the U.S. Navy.

He is survived by his wife Patricia Hawks Criner; daughters Sara Elizabeth Criner and Kara LeAnn Criner; sons and daughters-in-law Jason Dereck and Penny Criner; Aaron Lewis and Lea Ann Criner all of Galax, Virginia; grandchildren Jason Dereck Criner, II; Seth Alexander Criner and Jeremiah Lee Criner; one great-grandchild; brother Charles Gordon Criner of Dublin, Virginia.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, December 13, 2014 at 11:00 AM in the Felts Memorial Cemetery with Elder Dereck Criner II officiating. The family will receive friends Friday from 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM at the Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home. Military Rites will be conducted by the Grayson VFW Post 7726.

The family request no flowers. However, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or to the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.