John Krueger

John Frederick Krueger was called to his eternal home in Christ on January 7, 2021 after a two month battle against physical damage caused by Covid-19. He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Pam, son Ross (wife Kate), daughter Kristin, sister Jann Krueger Coursey (husband John, sons Jeremy and Jonathan), many extended family members and a vast network of dear friends. John was preceded in death by his parents Norman F. Krueger and Nelda Jean Krueger.

Born and raised in Monroe, Michigan, John graduated from Hillsdale College, with a Bachelors Degree in music and music education. He moved to Houston, Texas to pursue a Master’s in Vocal Performance at Rice University where he met Pam, the love of his life. John continued his musical education by obtaining a Masters in Church Music from Concordia University, Wisconsin and a Certificate of Liturgical Studies from Notre Dame University. He was nominated and became a member of Societas Liturgica in 2017 and followed that with application and acceptance into the North American Academy of the Liturgy (NAAL). John never lost his desire to learn and was currently challenging himself with the task of translating the Tanzanian songbook Tumshangilie Mungu into English. John traveled internationally to several Societas Liturgica conferences and had planned to present a paper on the Tanzanian project at the conference later this year.

John began his music career singing in the Houston Grand Opera Chorus and at Memorial Lutheran Church, where he discovered a love of choral conducting. In addition to his many performances with the Houston Grand Opera, John also sang with the Houston Gilbert and Sullivan Society, Opera in the Heights, Sons of Orpheus, Cecilia Choir, PIVO (a jazz ensemble), and for several years was a volunteer conductor of the BP employee choir.

John has been employed by Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Houston for the past 16 years, where he served as Director of Music. He loved every aspect of his job and particularly enjoyed working with the children of the congregation, cultivating their love of music and their faith in God. John firmly believed we learn best through singing and that music engages our minds and souls in a special way, bringing us closer to each other and to God. His life can be summed up by the chorus to one of his many favorite hymns:

No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that Rock I’m clinging
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth
How can I keep from singing?

- Robert Lowry

In addition to his love of music and worship, John was very involved in the recovery community and was passionate about helping others. He was an avid bowler and loved to travel and see new places as well. Most of all, John loved people and none more than his family. He was a proud father and would tell anyone who would listen about his children’s latest accomplishments. He was quite proud of everything they’ve done and was thrilled to include them in his musical endeavors. John never met a stranger and with his broad knowledge base and sense of humor he could talk to anyone, instantly connecting and forming a friendship.

A celebration of Johns life will be held privately for his immediate family at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church on Saturday 1/16 at 11am and will be livestreamed on www.christtheservant.net for those wishing to join in virtually. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial donations be made to Christ the Servant Lutheran Church – Outreach or Music (www.christtheservant.net) or to the Cecilia Choir scholarship fund (www.houstoncecilia.org).