I was a Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity brother of Craig's at SMU.  I'd lost touch with him long ago and just learned of his passing by accident today.  Craig was a good guy; he loved people and never took himself too seriously.  One memory of Craig along those lines was when there was a contest to find the "studliest fraternity guy." Competing frats put forward their handsomest, most athletic (and perhaps most narcissistic) member to show that they had the most attractive members of all the fraternities. We didn't. Craig volunteered and represented us, and it was hilarious. Despite NOT being muscle bound and ripped, he flexed, jiggled his stomach and smiled. By displaying his utter lack of ego and great sense of humor about the event, he won in our eyes, even if the judges were less than impressed. 

I'm sorry to learn of Craig's passing.  Forty-five years after I graduated, I still remember him fondly and am grateful for knowing him. 

Craig and I worked together at Camp Grady Spruce.  I spent several summers there and they were all wonderful.  But, whenever someone says, "think of Camp Grady Spruce", one of the lasting images that comes to mind is of a bunch of us lounging lazily on the swim dock.  Craig was there and was making us laugh with his dry sense of humor.  
He was full of warmth and full of genuine care for others.  
Craig will be missed!


I met Craig in 2005 when I started working at BBBS. He was always smiling and had a kind word to say about everyone. 

Our friendship continued all these years through our mutual love of dogs. I had the pleasure of getting to know, and love, Butler, Marley and Lacey, and it was apparent how much Lisa and Craig adored them. 

I will always remember Craig as a very kind hearted person, one of the good ones. 

Lisa, you and all your family, are in our thoughts. 

Love to you all,
Holly Wood

I will never forget the day I met Craig. I was interviewing at Camp Carter. I had flown to Texas straight from Northern Wisconsin. My heavy accent is probably the reason he hired me, don’t cha know. 

But that day changed the course of my entire life. Craig became a lifelong mentor. Helping me find my second career at BBBS, where we worked together again. As I moved to my 3rd career, it was so ironic Craig was doing similar work, again, and become a great mentor there as well.

He had this way of making you feel like family. He was gentle and able to correct in the kindest way imaginable.

 He believed in me. He believed I could be something. And that encouragement has been a driving force in my life, and I don’t think he really knew it.

When I last saw him at the Camp Carter reunion in December, he said, it is so neat seeing you as a parent. It was so encouraging. I always felt blessed by him and Lisa.

The world has a hole in it. I look forward to the day we meet again. But as I work, I will always know you are there cheering me on.

We love you all Gossard family—Jennifer, Greg, Ellie and Thomas
*thanks for all the pool apartness that have kept us connected through the years.

I first worked with Craig at YMCA Camp Grady Spruce. I was a counselor and he was the Main Camp Wrangler. We spent many days together that summer. He had a yellow Suburban that was nicknamed Mellow Yellow. We all piled in on the weekends and had many fun times on the lake and at the local dive, the Rainbow. Craig was always kind , smiling, and laughing. He and I both stayed in youth development. I worked for El Tesoro, he was at Camp Carter. When he left Camp Carter, he recruited me to take his place. He was always there for me, to give advice or to share a laugh. One of my favorite memories was at Spruce - two boys snuck out of their tent and stealthed over to the girl’s camp late at night. I caught them but they ran from me. This ensued a late night pursuit that we finally gave up on. The next morning Craig and I met about it early at breakfast. The only thing I could think to do was match the shoe prints left in the sand by the boys. Craig went and got their shoes and we took them back to the girl’s camp. A match!  We felt like true detectives. Such wonderful memories of a truly great man. So generous, kind and loving. You will be so missed. I know he is in heaven laughing with Eddie Vernon right now.  Love to all of his family. He loved you all so much. LJ

I will never forget the day that Craig and Lisa came to my house and took my dog, Pokey P., to the vet for me. It was pretty over and above and meant so much.  That was what Craig was always about....  going over and above for others.  Whether it was at HEB, or the Y, just being around him would lift my spirits. There is a special place in my heart for him. We have lost a very great, very kind and very caring man.  Love you, Lisa ❤️

To the Gossard Family, 
I just want to say I love you! Thank you for being such an inspiration to so many of us! You extended love to me and my children for over 24+ years. 

Thank you for being a god-send Mr. Craig! You will be greatly missed. 

Blessings Mrs. Lisa, Drew and family!

Love, 

LaTesha, Joshua, Faith, Jonathan and Justice

Humbled skies
Open up
To greet him
Angels gather
Just to meet him
As he leaves 
This world
There’s a storm 
On the horizon 
Hearts break
And the words
Aren’t enough 
To describe him
Tears fall
Like rain
Hearts wrapped
In memories
And in pain
Humbled hearts 
Open up
To celebrate him
Share memories 
And remember when
Humbled skies
Open up
To greet him
Angels gather
Just to meet him
As he leaves
This world 

 May peace find you today and all of your days ahead. 

He and Indi are up to shenanigans. 

Much love to the family. 

Butler 

So many good memories flood my mind of times with Craig. Life took us different directions and contacts became fewer over the years, but since the days of Camp Grady Spruce, Craig was always the impetus for a smile and kind thoughts. We had a nice chat at Eddie Vernon's service and I will treasure that. My love to all his family and friends.

Craig was a great boss, friend, mentor, and golf partner. Very caring and sweet man. I’ll miss you buddy!  Till we tee it up again. 
David

I'll always cherish the memories of the hundreds of hours spent with my childhood friend, Craig and his two older brothers, Grady and Wayne, and be forever grateful to the entire Gossard family for their years of kindness and generosity.  There is no doubt a heavenly sweet reunion  with Dr. Gossard, Betty, and other family members.  RIP Craig! 

I am at a loss for words but feel lucky to have many good memories. Craig touched so many people in ways that will be remembered and dearly missed.  God Speed Brother.

Craig hired me to manage the day camp at the YMCA in Plano. He was such a fun and caring person. I was devastated when he moved on.  We had recently gotten in touch and planned to get together when this quarantine was over.  I am so saddened by his death. He was a one-of-a-kind. 

OBITUARY

Craig Walter Gossard

March 8, 1957 – April 5, 2020

Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home & Hillcrest Mausoleum & Memorial Park

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