Bruce Crager

Bruce Lee Crager, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and brother, passed away December 19, 2024. At age 72, following a brave battle with liver disease, he left the world peacefully at his home in Houston, surrounded by loved ones.

A memorial service will be held on January 31 at 11 a.m. at Tallowood Baptist Church in Houston. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Young Life Greater Houston Region, online at giving.younglife.org/BruceCragerMemorial; or by check to 900 Town and Country Lane, Suite 302, Houston, Texas 77024.

Survivors include his wife Karen; daughter Autumn and her husband Josh; son Chad and his wife Melissa; son Zach; brothers-in-law Mark and Tim; grandchildren Lainie, Josie, Oliver, Zadie, Wyatt and Lucy; nephew and nieces John, Jordan, Julia, Hannah, Hilary and Chandler; sister Teddi and brother Jack; and numerous in-laws, colleagues, and friends around the globe.

First and foremost, Bruce was a family man. After his own father left home when he was 10, Bruce took on the patriarchal duties in support of his single mom. He started his own family with Karen at age 21, when they settled in Houston. By the time his grandkids arrived, Bruce became leader of the Posse--his term for the youngsters, from his love of Western culture. For them, "Pop" served as a mentor, role model, entertainment guide and steadfast advisor.

To support his brood, Bruce worked in offshore engineering. At Texas A&M University--where he served in the Aggie Corps of Cadets and proudly wore his senior boots every day of his senior year--he graduated in the inaugural class of Ocean Engineering. He went on to become a sought-after expert in the field, working in leadership positions at firms including Oceaneering International, ABB Offshore Systems, INTEC Engineering, and Endeavor Management, where he served as President until his passing.

Bruce's work often took him around the world, and all his life he was an adventurer. While becoming an Eagle Scout with Boy Scout Troop 66 in Canyon, Texas, he discovered the joys of camping, fishing, hiking, skiing and traveling-which he reveled in throughout his life. He took his family on treks from Florida to Montana to their wintertime getaway of Telluride, Colorado. His BC Travel itineraries were the stuff of legend. At age 60, Bruce celebrated by taking a trip every month, from Brazil to Hawaii to Panama. He maintained fitness with a decades-long streak of daily exercise, including long walks wherever he went.

Underpinning it all, Bruce was a man of faith. Having grown up as a United Methodist, he joined the Baptist Church after he married Karen in 1973. By age 26, he was a Deacon in his church and a leader of the congregation. He taught Bible studies, led youth groups, coached soccer teams and continued to mentor the younger generation, guiding by example.

While hewing to his own code of honor, Bruce wasn't one to pass judgement on others. A lifelong teetotaler, he was often the life of the party. His buoyant optimism was infectious.

Whenever he got a phone call, he simply answered, "This is Bruce." Doubtless that's his greeting at heaven's door.