Craig Rassinier

Craig Rassinier, age 68, regretfully passed on 8/1/2015 at his home with his loved ones by his side after a courageous battle with lung cancer over the past two years. He leaves his wife of 45 years, Celia (Davis) Rassinier; his sons, Jim, Nick, Jon and Kerry; His Daughters Becca and Cori; and his grandchildren Derrick, Bryce, Bronson, Madison, Meagan, Barrett, Brock and Levi. He was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma but he moved to Texas as fast as he could. The son of Edgar and Bea, he has been a proud resident of Houston, TX since 1950. Craig graduated high school from Sewanee Military Academy in 1965 and shortly thereafter met his wife, Celia, who would be by his side throughout his life. After graduating from Texas A&M in 1969, he entered the Merchant Marines and served 3 years as a 3rd mate helping pilot tankers. Using these skills, he began a fruitful career at Exxon where he held several positions until his retirement in 2009. Craig had many selfless acts throughout his career days; saving a co-worker's choking child using the then rarely known (in the mid 70's) Heimlich maneuver, saving his 3 year old daughter's life by taking the impact of a 1 ton sled, and risking his life by trying to save men from drowning in the Exxon Valdez shipwreck aftermath. Although he had many notable moments in his life, what he would want to be remembered for was his love for God and others. His journey with Jesus continued to grow throughout his life. He rarely preached at anyone, but rather he lived and let others watch. Craig grew to live out Ephesians 4 as a quiet doer that never went unnoticed or unappreciated. Here are a few statements that have been made about Craig since his passing: -"As I continue in life, I will find myself looking back at the examples that Craig set, and will try to imitate them." -"It is simply through the constructive manner in which he lived his life that he had the greatest impact upon others." -"Craig took the time to notice the little things that made life special, and in doing so, made others' feel special as well." -"He had a joyful spirit that touched everyone who knew him, and a sensitive and caring way that made family and friends feel loved." Craig has left a legacy of children and grandchildren that will look at the way he lived and continue to notice the fruit he allowed God to produce through him for years to come. He truly loved to help his family and his fellow man. When Jesus told Craig, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest, he answered with his final words on this earth, "here I come...here I come...HERE I COME." He was our rock, and we will all dearly miss him. I'll end this the way he ended almost every text he ever sent us. "God is good, all the time. And all the time God is good." There will be a memorial service for Craig on Thursday, August 6, at 2:00 pm at the church of St. John the Divine at 2450 River Oaks Blvd, Houston, Texas 77019 Craig Rassinier