Dale Clements Critz Obituary – Savannah Morning News

Dale Clements Critz, 91, passed away peacefully on September 29th, 2023. He was born September 21, 1932, in Little Rock, Arkansas to Horace Dale Critz and Georgia May Clements Critz. He moved with his parents to Savannah, GA in 1939 when his father established Critz Buick Co. He was educated at Charles Ellis Elementary School in Savannah and the Asheville School in Asheville, NC. He graduated from Duke University in 1955 and afterwards was commissioned an ensign in the US Navy, serving on destroyer escorts in the Atlantic until July 1957. Dale met his wife, Lila, while attending Duke and they were married in Tallahassee, FL on March 9, 1957. They moved back to Savannah in August of that year to join the family automobile business.

Dale had a successful 47-year business career adding franchises to the original Critz Buick Co. He also acquired and divested dealerships in South Carolina, Louisiana, and Florida. He served as President of the Georgia Automobile Dealers Association and was later instrumental in the establishment of the Georgia Auto Dealers Workers’ Comp Fund, serving as the chair of the Investment Committee for 25 years. He was a founding member in the 1960’s of a “20 group” that still meets regularly, that his son and grandson participate in today. Dale was honored by Time Magazine as the Quality Automobile Dealer of the Year in 1998. He also served as President of the CLV Life Insurance Co that he co-founded with J.C. Lewis, Jr and Dan M. Vaden. Dale was a long time Executive Committee member and Chair of the Board at SunTrust Bank, Savannah (now Truist). He also served on the board of directors and the investment committee of Savannah Foods and Industries until their acquisition by Imperial Holley in 1997.

Dale was a true servant leader and gave time, talent, and treasure to so many charitable and civic organizations in Savannah. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Savannah for over 60 years. He was a 25-year member of the United Way’s Alexis de Tocqueville Society, serving as the chair three times. The United Way of the Coastal Empire recently named their board room in his honor. The dedication begins “In the spirit of Dale Critz, Sr, may this room serve as a symbol of enduring dedication to the betterment of lives and a reminder of the profound impact that one compassionate individual can make in the lives of many.” Dale served as President of the Historic Savannah Foundation, chair of its Davenport House Committee and served on its Investment Committee. For his service he was awarded the Davenport Trophy, Historic Savannah’s highest award. The Telfair Museums and especially the Owens Thomas House were special to Dale. He helped establish the endowment committee and served on it for 30 years. He was a board member and Treasurer and was voted an honorary board member along with Lila in 2018.

Dale served as an endowment committee member of the Georgia Historical Society and received their John Macpherson Berrien Award for lifetime achievement in 2023. He also served on the endowment committee of the Savannah Community Foundation and the George Washington Foundation. Senior Citizens, Inc. recently honored Dale and Lila with a “life well-lived” award. He established the Critz Family Foundation in 1995 with it’s mission statement “to make Savannah a better place to live and work by supporting organizations that improve the quality of life and education of people in our region, instill good values in our youth, preserve Savannah’s historic buildings and promote the arts in our area, as well as protecting the natural order and beauty of our coastal environment.” He was truly one of Savannah’s great champions and like a good cheerleader he engaged others to join him and in doing so they accomplished more together and invariably had fun in the process.

Dale was a devout Christian. He served as treasurer of the Episcopal diocese and was a 43 year member of the Wednesday Morning Bible Study and the Christian Business Men’s Committee.

Dale valued leisure as much as work, pursuing billfish all over the world for many years then giving it up to focus on bird hunting in England, Spain, South America and here at home in the low country. He valued his partnership in Cheeha-Combahee Plantation, where he took the role of Quail Committee Chair with his inimitable zeal and determination. He loved nothing more than hosting guests on the quail wagon at Cheeha Combahee.

He was a member of numerous social clubs and societies and served as President of The Oglethorpe Club, The Cotillion Club and The Century Club.

Dale was immensely proud of his family and leaves behind his wife of 66 years, Lila Cay Williams Critz; his son Dale Clements Critz Jr and wife, Debra Wagner Critz; his daughter Lila Cay Critz; his four grandchildren: Taylor Cavanaugh Howard (Joseph Henry), Dale Clements Critz III, Laura Cay Critz, John Burton Critz; and his great-grandchild, Katherine Riley Howard.

The funeral service will be held graveside at Bonaventure Cemetery at 11:00am Thursday, October 5, 2023 with Michael S. White, Rector Christ Church Episcopal officiating. All are invited to a reception immediately following at The Oglethorpe Club. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Telfair Museums 207 W. York St., Savannah, GA 31401, The United Way of the Coastal Empire 428 Bull St, Savannah, GA 31401, or Christ Church Episcopal 28 Bull St. Savannah, Ga. 31401.

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