John Criswell Obituary, Death Cause:- John Criswell, a former news anchor for WFAA (Channel 8) and the originator of the Wednesday’s Child segment, died on July 13, 2023, at his home in Carrollton, Texas. He was 83 years old. His family confirmed his death on Thursday but did not disclose the cause of his death.
John Criswell’s Early Life, and Career
Criswell was born on June 6, 1940, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in journalism in 1962. He began his career as a radio reporter and later worked as a television reporter and anchor in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Houston, and Dallas.
He joined WFAA in 1973 and stayed there until 1990. During his tenure at WFAA, he anchored nearly every broadcast on the station, from morning shows to weekend shows to weekday newscasts at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m. He covered several major stories at WFAA, including serving as an anchor for national political conventions, reporting on multiple hurricanes, and being an integral part of the station’s coverage of the Delta 191 crash at DFW International Airport in August 1985.
He also originated two segments that became popular and influential: Wednesday’s Child and Crimestoppers. Wednesday’s Child featured children in foster care who were waiting for adoption. Crimestoppers offered rewards for tips that led to the arrest of criminals.
In 1990, he moved to KDFW Channel 4 and worked there until 1997. He then worked for KTVT-TV in Fort Worth, KDFW-TV, and KTXD-TV in Dallas before retiring in 1999.
He won several awards for his journalism, including an Emmy Award, a Peabody Award, and a National Headliner Award.
A legacy of compassion and service
Criswell was not only a respected journalist but also a compassionate and generous person who cared deeply about his community. He was involved in many charitable causes, especially those related to children and the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
He and his wife Elizabeth, who is deaf, were founders of the Deaf Action Center (DAC), which was established in 1977 to provide support and services to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community in North Texas. He also served as the president of the board of directors of the DAC for many years.
He was also a longtime supporter of the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center (DCAC), which provides intervention, advocacy, and healing services to children who have been abused or neglected. He helped raise awareness and funds for the DCAC through his Wednesday’s Child segment and other events.
He was also a member of the Rotary Club of Dallas, the Dallas Press Club, the Society of Professional Journalists, and the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Criswell, his daughter Kendra Branden, his son John Criswell Jr., his stepdaughter Jennifer Criswell-Williams, his stepson Michael Criswell-Williams, his sister Judy Criswell-Whitehead, his brother Jim Criswell and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Biodata
| Name | John Criswell |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | June 6, 1940 |
| Date of death | July 13, 2023 |
| Place of birth | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
| Place of death | Carrollton, Texas |
| Cause of death | Not disclosed |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Years active | 1962-1999 |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Criswell |
| Children | Kendra Branden, John Criswell Jr., Jennifer Criswell-Williams, Michael Criswell-Williams |
Facts
- John Criswell was a former news anchor for WFAA (Channel 8) and the originator of the Wednesday’s Child segment.
- He died on July 13, 2023, at his home in Carrollton, Texas. He was 83 years old.
- He had a long and distinguished career in journalism, covering major stories and winning several awards.
- He was also a compassionate and generous person who cared deeply about his community, especially children and the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
- He is survived by his wife Elizabeth, his children, his siblings, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
FAQs
Q: How did John Criswell die?
A: His family confirmed his death on Thursday but did not disclose the cause of his death.
Q: How can I pay tribute to John Criswell?
A: You can send condolences to his family, share your memories of him on social media or donate to the Deaf Action Center (DAC) or the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center (DCAC) in his honor.
