Earl Ronald Crites

Some people make such a big impression on our hearts, they continue to walk beside us even after they’re gone.” — Unknown

Obituary

Earl Ronald Crites passed away in the early hours of February 19, 2026 at home in the loving care of his life partner Judy Turney. He was 74 years old. He fought the cancer that eventually took him the same way he lived his life, with courage, optimism and the “no retreat, no surrender” credo of a true warrior.

Earl was born to Harrison William Crites and Mildred Irma (Curtis) Crites on April 2, 1951 in Scotia, California. His birth completed the family that included his older siblings: brother Lee Godsey and sister Jean (Godsey) Swartz.

Earl was raised with his family on a 20-acre homestead in Laytonville, California. The family worked hard and maintained a self-sufficient life-style allowing them to eat from their own vegetable garden, as well as their home-raised poultry and beef. Earl often joked that he got his strong grip strength from years of pulling up acres of Manzanita shrubs by hand, one of the many jobs that his father assigned to him.

While attending Laytonville High School, Earl was an avid athlete. He especially loved playing basketball and football where his strength, speed and competitiveness helped to give Laytonville High its reputation for being one of the hardest-hitting schools in the league.

Soon after graduating from high school in 1969, Earl joined the Army and was thrilled to be able to serve his time in Alaska. Earl was a proud veteran who loved his country.

Earl met his first wife Martina (Finnegan) Peterson in high school and they were married in December of 1969. They had two beautiful daughters Karen Marie Crites (Sweaney) and Tammy Marlene Crites (Rivano). After leaving the service, his family moved back to the “lower 48” where he worked multiple jobs before he eventually began his career in Corrections, working at the Vacaville State Prison as a correctional officer. Following his divorce, he moved to Southern Humboldt in 1980 where he continued his career in Corrections at the Eel River Conservation Camp #31 in Redway where he remained until he retired.

He met Judy Turney at the dentist office where she worked in Garberville in 1980. At that time the state allowed inmates to be taken to local dentists for dental treatment. While the inmate was with the dentist having treatment, there was enough time for a bit of conversation and flirtation between Earl and Judy. The attraction was mutual and they were soon dating. They remained a devoted couple until the end of Earl’s life.

Earl’s dream since he was a teenager was to have his own small homestead where he would build a home and be as self-sufficient as possible. His focus never changed and when he moved to Southern Humboldt, he soon bought property above Phillipsville. Starting with undeveloped property, he created a house site, and built a beautiful home. He and Judy created their beloved homestead together. Over the years they added gardens, orchards, and landscaped yards. Their love of animals led them to raise many cats, dogs, goats and chickens as well as attracting many wild birds to their yard to watch and enjoy.

A life-long passion for sports, travel, and adventure balanced out Earl’s drive to work hard building and developing his home.

He was well known in the Shelter Cove fishing community and had the reputation that his boat most often came in with its full limit of fish. Some people recognized the unique shape of Earl’s boat and enjoyed watching him come in with his Blue Heeler, Bandit, standing proudly on the bow of the boat, waiting to be close enough to shore to dive off and swim to shore. He did this every time they came in!

Earl also loved skiing, all water sports, abalone diving, hiking and traveling. He loved sharing these passions with family and friends. Whether he was hunting abalone with his nephew John Turney, skiing with his friend Tommy (and others), fishing, hiking or rafting with his friend Paul (and others) or traveling with Judy, and often Paul & Tina. The bragging rights and hours of storying-telling after each adventure was just as important as the adventures themselves.

He loved to share adventures with Judy, constantly pushing her to challenge herself and learn new skills. He taught her to ski, kayak, snorkel, fish and push for more challenging hikes than she thought she could accomplish. All of these adventures will remain cherished memories.

Earl leaves behind a large and loving family, including his Turney family and many friends who will miss him deeply.
He is survived by his life-partner Judy Turney, daughters Karen (Sean) Sweaney, Tammy (Gary) Rivano, granddaughters Vanessa Rivano, Amanda Rivano, Hannah Rivano, and great-grandson Joshua Mann.

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