Lt. Col. (Ret) Richard Kyle Crist, age 84, died on Friday, August 17, 2012, at Patriots Colony. He was born in Ozark Beach, MO to Hunter and Merle Crist, and moved to Hampton, VA in 1944. He graduated from Hampton High School in 1945, and attended VA Polytechnic Institute.

Colonel Crist enlisted as a private in the U.S. Army Air Corp in 1946. After his discharge, he joined the staff of the Old Point National Bank in Phoebus. He stayed with the bank for five years and at the age of 22, was appointed a bank officer, making him the youngest to hold such a position in the state of Virginia. While he was with the bank, and prior to that time, he was active in sports, playing softball, basketball and football with various Peninsula teams.

Colonel Crist also remained active in the U. S. Army Reserves while with the bank, coming up through the ranks, and received a direct appointment as a Second Lieutenant in January 1954. He returned to active duty until retiring in 1975 after 28 years of total service. He served at the end of World War II, and in Korea and Vietnam. He also served in Germany, Okinawa and Japan, as well as several stateside assignments. Throughout his military career, Colonel Crist received numerous awards, decorations, and medals for distinguished and exemplary service.

After his retirement, he enjoyed investing in real estate and was an avid car enthusiast, especially loving Ford Mustangs. He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and The Retired Officers Association.

Colonel Crist was a resident of Williamsburg, VA since 1978. He is survived by his wife, Shelia Y. Crist; a son, Richard K. Crist Jr. of Williamsburg; a daughter, Caren K. Sexton (Jay) of Williamsburg; a step-son and step-daughter, Patrick J. Rogers (Melissa) of Abingdon, MD and Adrienne M. Miles of Aberdeen, MD; and five grandchildren, Jamie Sexton, Taylor Sexton, Grace Rogers, Andrew Rogers and Ian Miles. He also leaves behind his loving Cocker Spaniel, Mandy. He loved his family, his country and the Washington Redskins. He was of the Methodist faith.

The family will receive friends from 5-7pm on Monday, August 20 at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg. A graveside service with full military honors will be held on Tuesday, August 21 at 11:00 AM, at Cedar Grove Cemetery, also in Williamsburg.

The family requests that expressions of sympathy be in the form of contributions to a favorite charity. Online condolences may be expressed at www.nelsencares.com.