The Charles Criniere Memorial

I noticed the other day that the flowers at the ghost bike location were getting worn and faded and that the bike and crosses were rusted.

I went by and picked up all the old flowers and repainted the bike and crosses. I also mowed the area.

I haven’t said much since I heard what happened, I cried like there was no tomorrow, and when I forgot about being sad I would miss seeing him again and the tears would flood my face once more. Mr Criniere was one of the best teachers I could’ve ever asked for. He pushed me so hard to be great and I know he would pick me up, if I was to fall. I looked forward to having his class everyday and we had the bet times as well. He is a fun teacher you actually can understand him and enjoy laughs and giggles on the way. He taught me things I thought I could never learn. He was the kindest soul as well. He loved to help. Any and everyone. And if he couldn’t do it he would find someone that could. I enjoyed all the time knowing him and all he has done and I want to say thank you to him for being there for me when I had no one else. He helped shape me into who I am today and I will forever be greatful~ Rhiamya Jones

Charlie was far more involved in the Kansas Cit’s community then I could have imagined. We attended church with them and so I already was aware that he was contributing valued time to helping out with various church activities, (meetings and volunteering and various events included… the list is very long. But it wasn’t until the day we all gathered to celebrate his life that I had a clue just how much he had poured into different circles of people within the community. Everytime we were around Charlie you could see he was laying it all out on the table. Tired or not, he and Megan always made you feel like you mattered. I believe the impact was so tremendous because that was how Charlie and his family treated everyone. Jesus was clearly shining through them. We really miss him.

I met Charlie through his brother Eric. In fact, I lived with Charlie and his brother for a few years, back in the early 2000’s. I didn’t know Jesus then, but I’m pretty sure Charlie was praying for my salvation. I never understood how he can spend so much time locked in his room praying. At least not until I got saved, years later. Despite my unbelief at the time, he was so patient, gracious and loving towards me. When I got saved, I wanted Charlie to know because his walk with the Lord deeply impacted mine. His faith was authentic and his passion was so contagious. The way he talked about Jesus made you want to love Jesus more. I have so many sweet and funny memories of him and Megan. I’m forever grateful for how the Lord used Charlie in my brokenness.

One of my best friends in high school. Charlie aka Orfn aka Realize. You influenced me more than you will ever know bro. Taught me how to be free. Showed me how to go racking for Polo, how to bomb, lmao my dude would throw up random tags for me - (Dimpel, Roddy Rod, 😂) when i didnt wanna bomb! We were locker partners and Id show up to school and he would say - “we not goin to class today we goin to the beach” - he always had me on missions- we would go to wealthy suburbs and steal Dyno and GT bikes off peoples lawns and go up and down the lakefront - we would ride the Red Line from Howard to 95th and take flicks of the Graff. Was the 1st person i smoked trees with etc. i always recall when id be on my smart shit and talkin politics and youd say “i dont even know what you said but that shit sounded dope!” 🤣🤣🤣 me and Teddy still say that today. Lol. But more than the wild stuff - we were brothers - dying of laughter all day, hollering at girls ( he was shy lmao) , jumpin the turnstyles and just being teenagers in the 90s in Chicago. Later in life youd find Jesus Christ and dedicate your life to him. That took you to Kansas City, Missouri where you became a Math teacher and a baseball and basketball coach and loved by the whole community. You and your wife would have 10 kids and youd become a role model for the community. Yesterday the ancestors called for you and you joined them- and though im devastated- im thankful for those years hanging out everyday- i wouldnt be who i am today if it wasnt for you bro. Your brother Eric still got me and all of Champions as his bros and I promise to stay in contact w Robin and Lisa and be more present. I love ya bro!!! You will be missed. RIP Charlie Criniere. 😥😥😥❤️❤️❤️💯💯💯

- Rodrigo Starz (from facebook)

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02LkXpAoU5yjSnq1q95SxyUjrAnb1gcseM3HqSRgdpYhbP25oZ6FzZJTfB92AoLsAql&id=100004012785066

I met Charlie when he was in Chicago and part of the prayer furnace. His love for Jesus was so encouraging and contagious. My husband and Charlie became friends and Charlie encouraged Tony in so many ways. His life has left a mark on many!!!

Megan, your tribute to Charlie is perhaps the best example of a life well lived that I've heard in many years. And I love how you pointed his story to the person who made him so special to his family, students, and co-workers. That person you clearly identify as Jesus. Nicely done. God's blessings in the days ahead. It was a treat to join the 500+ riders a week ago and to be reminded why we're here.

Charlie! I met Charlie through his marriage to Megan, who I know from our church in Chicago, Cross and Crown. I helped them move when they arrived to Kansas City, and Charlie was always full of joy and life. He always encouraged me every time we met. recently, I would run into him at a coffee shop where he was studying and I will miss him and think of him and his family because I still go there on a weekly basis. I am grateful to have met him on this side of eternity and look forward to seeing him again on the other side.

Mr. Criniere or as we used to call him (Pitbull/ Mr.Worldwide) :(..Wow. He was such a light to me and my family and friends! I’ve known Mr. Criniere since I was a kid (7), he was my neighbor back on pineview/stonewood he used to always watch over us while we went had playdates with Gabe and his siblings. Until he moved then onto me growing up and seeing him years again at the high becoming my math teacher from 9th and 11th grade. He was such a mentor and a great listener and father figure to not only his family but students everywhere. Charles Criniere was such a sweet man. I’m going to miss his bible teachings and his corny jokes. Its just unreal. My prayers go out to his family , friends, co workers, everyone who loved crinere just as we did. Rip Mr. Charles Criniere , until we meet again 🤍❤️.

By: Sabrina Neely

I can’t believe that Charlie is among the cloud of witnesses… the most sweet, cheerful, consistent smile that I ve ever see for years in the prayer room… he was always there 6 am before going to teach… amazing godly man, husband, brother always with his bible and words of encouragement and honor for all… Charlie believe in revival and the promises of God for this city… please let’s pray for Megan his amazing wife and all their children.

By Djanira Blanco de Salerno

This so sad that was some of my favorite teachers in grandview always use to help me in his class. He’s tutoring class use to be so fun its so crazy Rip mr.Criniere By Diamond Harrington

I did not know Charles well but I worked with him on a ministry team when I was in IHOPU. He was a humble man with a generous heart to serve God and his family. A truly memorable person of integrity.

By Korynne Feliú

Charles Criniere, “Charlie” to me.. *deep sigh* was one of those *extremely rare* bright lights in the world who is now gone too soon. 15+ years ago I became friends with Charlie, his wife & entire family (10 kids later) through the Chicago Prayer Furnace. We then went on to do bible school together at the same time in Kansas City at the International House of Prayer. Charlie was a humble math teacher at the local high school, I would bump into him often when I used to substitute there. He would share with me all the ways he was reaching his students not only to learn math, but for a better life. He was a radiant happy heart at all times who hungered to know God more & more.. a constant inspiration. You truly left conversation with him feeling uplifted like a big deposit was put in you life account.

By Kelly Janowiak

This one hurt - if you knew anything about mr.criniere you knew how much he cared about his students, he wasn’t just the best teacher, He was an all-star human, a great mentor and most of all he was most definitely a friend that you could go to no matter what!! He continuously was there for all of his students, always going the extra mile… Words just can’t describe the amazing person he is So if you can please donate even if it’s just a small amount a little bit goes along way and I know it would mean a lot to his family!! RIP

By Lana Hubbard

Charles was one of the most genuine, kindhearted, generous persons. His smile and laugh were infectious. Students gravitated to his immense patience and caring heart. Even with a full house of his own children at home, I would often see him stick around tutoring, mentoring, and witnessing to students. He was so loved.

Over the last hour, I keep looking at the words on the screen that delivered the news to me. I keep waiting for the words to disappear. For the news to come that it actually isn't him at all. It's someone else.

He transferred to a different building last year, but prior to that, we were 300 Hallway buddies. As a fellow Christian, I often leaned on Charles as a prayer warrior. He always made time to listen and offer support in one way or another. We often talked about the challenges of this profession, and we both agreed it was our way of doing ministry.

Charles was a man of faith, so I wholeheartedly believe that he is doing just fine. While I'm thankful his family has their faith to lean on, it doesn't take the pain away. Alongside my grief, I am angry. I am angry that this beautiful soul left us. I am angry that the person responsible for this accident cowardly left the scene. Selfishly, I am angry and heartbroken that our district has lost another great teacher...

Will you please join me in prayer for his family (he has 9 children still living at home), his students (those he just met last week as well as former), and current/former coworkers?

I am sorry for those of you who did not have the opportunity to know this man. He was one of a kind. RIP Charles.

By Valerie Naas Hatcher

The first time I met Criniere was 13 years ago when I was student teaching at Grandview High School. I can remember being in meetings and noticing immediately his kind smile and genuine disposition. When I started teaching at GHS 11 years ago, he was still there and was just down the hallway from me. I always knew I could ask Charles Criniere a question and receive a genuine answer. He left Grandview for a bit and returned a few years ago- and I was so pleased to see him back. I saw his wife drop him off in their big van (I think they have one car) and pick him up after school. Charles was always willing to stay late to reteach kids math concepts and he always came to events with his family after hours. He was the kind of teacher everyone wants to have in their lives. He is THAT guy.

And someone hit him and left the scene.

This is a crushing blow to our Grandview family. He was a beloved teacher most recently at Martin City -and they just lost another teacher over the summer in a motorcycle accident.

There is a GoFundMe set up to help ease the pain for his family. Nine children still remain at their home. I've watched the money donated grow and grow from hundreds of donations, and I noticed that many of the donations have come from the students that I still see in the hallways. That part really got me. He's made such an impact on the lives of students that students who have little to give are making donations to support his family. It's a beautiful thing in the middle of a very, very sad time.

Please say a prayer for his family and for the students who will see an empty classroom tomorrow morning. And, if you can, please consider donating to the man who was a ray of sunshine in my teaching world for 13 years. Rest In Peace, Charles.

By Diane Euston

Charles was a great friend and colleague at GHS for many years. I will forever cherish the memories of us working together. He made such an impact on our community and will be greatly missed.

I will never forget our trip to Washington DC in April 2018 for the NCTM Conference. I remember us getting to the White House and then walking back to the Hotel just to explore Washington DC together.

I will forever cherish the moments of the times we had working together. When I'd hug you in the hallway after school. When I'd hold up the "Criniere 2021: Make Algebra Great Again" signs during Zoom Meetings to see you smile and shake your head at me. When we were in Washington DC at a Conference and I kept introducing myself as our friend and caused him to get a ton of things on his work email. Even at Convocation when I passed you in the hallway, but turned around to give you a hug and tell you I missed you. There's so many great memories with you that I'm thankful for.

Thank you for always being a great friend and colleague. As much as you said I'm the LeBron James of GHS, you'll always be the Wayne Gretzky of GHS to me. You'll always be the Great One. It's my hope that my career can honor you and the legacy you have left here in our community.

I miss you my friend. I love you. I know we will see each other again some day. Thank you again for everything.

Thank you so much for being my friend for so many years and all the ways you helped me become a better teacher. I really miss you and I love you.

By Jeremy Clarkson

Mr.Criniere was my favorite person as a teacher and a best friend he meant everything to me and when i was going through alot in shcool and he was the only one there for me everyday it was a smile on his face and he would just bring my day up and he even gave me a nickname and he would just make me feel safe and he kept pushing me to be me and to believe in myself he was a amazing person and i loved him so much there was not one day i didnt talk about him😔forever in my heart hate to see you gone but you will be missed day after day 😭

By Nakiah Wilson

Sending prayers to all family, friends, and students. Mr. Criniere was a wonderful person. He was my daughters teacher and friend. He meant alot to her. She was always talking about him,, he was her favorite.. She was being bullied last year and I had to remove her from school. But before I did, he watched over her every single day and kept her safe. He made sure she could get to her classes safely and he made sure she felt self worth and confidence, he made sure she knew she was a special person and she was loved and helped her to keep her head up and push through. He was her safety net at school. She was very torn when she heard the news and texted me while I was at work. He will be so very missed..

By Jackie Nelson

The way God united both of you is a true love story and a beautiful one. Our hearts are broken for your loss. Charlie was a great guy with an infectious smile that we all will remember always. Our family will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Praying that the Lord will comfort and give you peace. By David and Rosa Melendez