Rhonda Denise Caraway Krueger

Born in Houston, Texas on the 9th of August 1962, she was one of four children of Omer Eugene Caraway and Mary Louise Caraway. She attended grade school and junior high in Houston and was a graduate of Waltrip High School. Rhonda was an exceptional student, excelling both academically and in extracurricular activities. Not only did she play the piano and trumpet, but she also belonged to the Spanish National Honors Society, was a prolific speed skater, and a proud member of the Waltrip Imperial Guard. In 1993, Rhonda received her Associates Degree in General Studies, graduating with Honors.

Rhonda had the railroad in her blood, and it was her life’s work. At age 18, she joined the team at Missouri Pacific, later working at Alcon in Ft Worth and then at Union Pacific. During her 42 years of service, Rhonda worked in several departments including Sales, Law, Claims, Crew Dispatch and finally Public Relations. Rhonda excelled at public relations where she was known as the go-to person responsible for organizing and participating in multiple nationally recognized events such as the annual College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.

One of the most cherished times in her career was her role in organizing and participating in President George H.W. Bush’s funeral train that traveled from Spring, TX to his library at Texas A & M University in College Station following his death. Rhonda was such a valued member of the Union Pacific team that even after retirement she would be asked by executive management to organize and participate in events.

In 1984, Rhonda met the love of her life Jim Krueger and together they enjoyed traveling, boating, water and snow skiing, Marlin fishing and even dabbling in golf. Jim introduced her to her future brother and sister-in-law Steve and Wendy Krueger. Later, Rhonda would meet another to be sister-in-law Ann Lancaster (Krueger). Rhonda at just under 5’-0” tall and Ann at just over 5’-0” you could hear “I like you, I like you too” and a friendship was born.

For seventeen years, Rhonda and Jim volunteered and enjoyed being part of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. During that time, they were exposed to multiple events including a unique Barbeque contest with over 350 competitors from small family teams to corporate monsters. They got to see and meet celebrities, hear great music and eat delicious barbeque. This also allowed Rhonda and Jim to introduce their young niece Mary Kendall (Gina’s daughter) to cowgirl outfits (hats and boots and all), the rides, building ropes, petting the various animals, riding the mechanical bulls, etc. Rhonda also enjoyed being a Texan season ticket holder and a founding member of the Just Chill’n Tailgaters team (2017 HEB Tailgater of the Year winner).

Rhonda enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She never met a stranger and was always willing to help those in need. She was involved in so many activities and touched more lives than we can share here. Rhonda was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

Rhonda is survived by her husband Jim, Her sister Cathy Ray her son Kevin Ray and his wife Sandy along with their three children Taylor Ray, Cameron Ray and Kendall Ray, Gary and Debbie Caraway and their daughter Genie (Caraway) Laskowski, her two sons, Wyatt and Meyer, their son Brandon Caraway and his wife Jamie Lynn and their four children, Peyton Mac Caraway, Bo Caraway and twins Ryker and Charlie Caraway and sister Gina Salway and her husband Kasey Salway and their children Mary Kendall Benton, Sean Salway and Matthew Salway.