Roy Gene Crist, '86
2018 Alumni of the Year recipient for the College of Business, Humanities and Social Sciences
Reverend Roy Gene Crist was a man with many skills and talents, and a big heart. He was a veteran, educator, priest, caretaker, mentor and friend.
Crist earned his Regents Bachelor of Arts degree from West Virginia University Institute of Technology in 1986. He was ordained as an Episcopal priest in 1988. He created outreach programs through New River Episcopal Ministries to feed and support those around the State of West Virginia and beyond. Some of these programs included feeding ministries, flood relief, helping with local school groups and mentoring students and youth. Crist was always helping, feeding, serving and showing love to those around him. Anyone who encountered Crist experienced and felt unconditional love – the love that we hear about and wish for in our lives and for the lives of others.
When a situation arose, Crist helped gather people and resources. He always lent a hand and an ear to those around him. He wasn’t shy about rolling up his sleeves and putting in time and hard work to help others. He was known for having a servant’s heart.
Crist, a Fayette County Man of the Year awardee, served on various committees and projects within the Episcopal Church and with organizations across the Mountain State.
He used his technical experience and knowledge to serve students and the community by teaching at the Fayette Plateau Vocational Technical Center. He encouraged students to pursue their educational goals and shared his experiences and opportunities that he received during his educational pursuits. He was a lifelong learner and continually encouraged those around him to be the same.
Roy Gene Crist’s Obituary
The Reverend Roy Gene “Squirt” Crist of Ansted, WV went to be with the Lord on Friday, June 23rd, 2017 at the age of 78. Roy Gene was ordained as an Episcopal Priest in 1988 and served churches within the New River Episcopal Ministries as both Priest and Missioner. He was a graduate of WV Tech and a United States Air Force Veteran. Roy Gene retired from the Fayette County School System where he first served as an Electrician and later went on to teach Industrial Electronics for many years at the Fayette Plateau Vocational-Technical Center. He was also a long time member of the Ansted Volunteer Fire Department and prior to his death, served as Chaplain for both the Ansted Fire Department and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department. He was honored as Fayette County Man of the Year, and was also a member of various community organizations and committees in and throughout the Episcopal Church. He also served on multiple boards, most recently the Fayette County Health Department and the Appalachian Episcopal Ministries as the Representative for the Diocese of West Virginia.
Roy Gene’s service to others through the church was both his calling and true passion. His kind and gentle nature was to always give, to never receive. He lived his life empowered to spread the gospel through his ministry. When he wasn’t tirelessly working to make this world a better place, you could find Roy Gene doing some of his favorite activities: holding hands with Jane on long walks around town or sitting at a ball field watching a softball game. He was an avid reader and a lover of Classic Western movies. His very favorite color was purple, and nothing made Roy Gene happier than spending time with his grandchildren and eating peanut butter on saltine crackers.
Roy Gene is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Jane Nuckols Crist; dearest family friend Rosalie Marshall; son Eugene Crist (Tabitha Crist) of Charleston, WV; daughters Courtney Crist Phillips (Cody Phillips) of Pittsburgh, PA and Lynsey Crist of Tacoma, WA. Also, his 5 beloved grandsons: Gabriel Crist (7), Harper Phillips (6), Anderson Crist (5), Harrison Phillips (4), and Hogan Phillips (2). He was preceded in death by his parents Stanton and Hazel Crist; brothers Billy, Charles, and Jack Crist.