On March 13, 2018 our precious eldest son, Richard “Cory” Kroos passed from our arms to the arms of Jesus. Our miracle was born on Wednesday, October 4, 1972 at 4:28 am at the Corpus Christi Naval Base. He was a healthy 7 lb. 12 oz. and 19 ½ inches long. On October 29, 1972, he was baptized at Trinity Lutheran by Rev. J. C. Henning and confirmed on April 12, 1987 at Grace Lutheran by Rev. R. Mayerhoff. That strong boy fought Cancer, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, for the past year. If determination and hope could have killed it, he would have won. But the Lord had other plans and he won his place in Heaven.
Cory loved sports and the weather, always flipping between channels. Even at 7 yrs. old his weather picture was chosen to be telecast on the TV channel. His favorite past time was sitting on the patio after work with the TV remote and cigarette in hand and sipping on a cold Milwaukee’s Best. Life was good. That changed in a quick year. Damn that Cancer…may it burn in hell. “We’ll get through this” he continued to say and we will with God’s help.
Cory attended numerous schools as his Dad’s HEB job transferred him every couple years. Kindergarten at Rockport, then on to Refugio, Bishop, and finally Victoria. He went to Howell Jr. High and Victoria High School graduating in 1991. He loved playing basketball. His sweet spot was the 3 pointer. One of his fondest memories was scoring at the buzzer to win the game. He was privileged to be coached by coaches Larry Puckett, Bill Byers, and Mike Smith.
His favorite color was blue, he loved growing hot peppers and hydrangeas, and cooking his pinto beans. He loved the University of Texas and Dallas Cowboys and we had a great time with him watching the Super Bowl on February 7. Of course, he was a Kroos and loved hunting, golfing, gardening, and playing in the pool.
His beautiful smile and endearing personality landed him numerous jobs, including HEB, Best Buy, Office Depot, and Western Beverages. At the end he found his niche at Glazers Distributors as a wine Sales Rep. He met lots of managers in different stores that he so much enjoyed servicing and visiting. He even kept in contact with them when he went on his short term leave.
He married, divorced, and moved in with us. Somehow weeks turned into months, months turned into 5 years. He kept wanting to move out and buy a house, but somehow God always side tracked that. This way we had the privilege of taking care of him until the end. He had all 3 of his aunts, 2 being nurses, taking really good care of him. The Lord really provides because his Dad and I couldn’t have handled it. He was affectionately known as “Grumpy Uncle Cory” to his nieces.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents—Johann and Anneke Kroos, grandmother, Helen Birnbaum Adams, and step-grandmother, Margaret Frost Birnbaum.
He left us behind… His Papu, Isdell (Olivia) Birnbaum; Parents, Gus and Cheryl Kroos; Brothers Scott (Heather) Kroos and Kevin Kroos; Sister Christina (Trent) Tagliabue; Nieces Madalynn and Savannah Kroos, Brylee and Kambree Tagliabue, and Abigail Kroos; Aunts and Uncles…Isdell Jr (Robbyn) Birnbaum, Rose (Randy) Walker, Ree (Kathy) Kroos, Ted Kroos. Half Uncles and Aunt…Ruben (Elaine) Coleman, Jos (Maria) Kroese, and Rony (Arend) Hess; First cousins…Iz Birnbaum, Garett Birnbaum, Gabe Birnbaum, and Christopher Walker; And lots of other family and friends.
His visitation will be Thursday, 5 to 7 pm and service at 10 am on Friday, both at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church on the corner of Ben Jordan and Sam Houston. His special confirmation pastor, Rev. Mayerhoff, will bless us by doing the service. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Iz Birnbaum, Garett Birnbaum, Gabe Birnbaum, Christopher Walker, Randy Birnbaum, Jeff Hutt, Mikey Brown, and Jason Brown.
Honorary Pallbearers: Matthew Church, James Brock, and Jacob Villasenor.
Special Thanks to his 24 hour care givers—Aunt Rose and Aunt Robbyn, Hospice of South Texas, Dr. Tu, Jaimy John, and staff at MD Anderson Sugarland. Also thanks to the neighbors and friends who have brought us meals and so many words of comfort.
Cory always kept my flowers alive, so instead of sending any, please consider giving a donation to Golden Crescent Habitat for Humanity (207 N. Glass, Victoria, TX 77901), to help someone get a house or to Hospice of South Texas (605 Locust, Victoria, TX 77901), who were so very helpful and compassionate.
We will miss him! That body does not look like our Cory, but the spirit was always there. One day we will “go Corporate” and join him in Heaven!
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