Biography: An inveterate traveler, David completed his journey March 5, 2025, aged 91. His wanderlust was sparked by stints in the Marine Corps and the Navy; he loved traveling. David loved nature, the outdoors, and wildlife, especially birds. His appreciation of nature carried over into his career. Though he retired from the Arkansas Game and Fish, he also worked for Pollution Control and was among President Clinton’s first gubernatorial staff. After retirement he moved to Atlanta to be with his beloved Wister Jean Cook. After her retirement from Georgia Tech the pair traveled the world including trips to Africa, Bali, Australia, Iceland, Hawaii, and an epic road trip from Atlanta to Alaska. David loved to sail and had experience on virtually all the globe’s major waters. After Wister’s passing, never having achieved what his friend Charles Portis referred to as “escape velocity“ he returned to Little Rock. David continued exploring the world solo with journeys to Vietnam and India.

In Little Rock David settled with his son, James D. Criner, and enjoyed the frequent visits of his daughter, Alison L. Criner of Dallas. He had three grandchildren,  Elizabeth Corona of Houston, Thomas J. Lee, and Jeffrey S. Lee, Jr. both of Dallas, and three great grandchildren. We will all miss him so much.

There will be no formal ceremony.