Craig Rhymers
Craig Allen Rhymers, 70, Crosslake, died Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019, at CRMC Hospital, Crosby, with his family at his side.
Funeral services were held at Sept. 5 at the Staples United Methodist Church.
Graveside services with honors was held Sept. 5 at Assembly Area #5, Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis.
Craig was born on October 3, 1948 in Minneapolis, the son of Roy and Irene (Wassing) Rhymers. He grew up and was educated in south Minneapolis, graduating from Roosevelt High School. While in school, he loaded bags at MSP Airport. He attended the U of M, Minneapolis, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree. He served in the US Air Force as a T38 Instructor at Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, TX and served in Desert Shield/Storm flying C-130’s for the 133rd Tactical Airlift Wing. He headed up the runway lighting project at Camp Ripley.
Craig worked with United Airlines in Denver, working with the flight simulator. He began flying with Western Airlines out of LA, which later merged with Delta. He flew with Delta until retiring on October 2, 2013 as 5th Captain from the top. He was also retired from the Air National Guard as a Lt. Col. In his younger years, Craig enjoyed boating, fishing, waterskiing and flying, flying, flying. He enjoyed Gopher Football, Twins Baseball and Vikings Football. His family also remembers him as “The Man of the Grill”.
He was united in marriage with Joan Batcher on Aug. 16, 2015 at the Staples United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Joan (Joannie) of Crosslake; one daughter, Amanda Rhymers of Louisville, KY; five step-children, Danika (Zach) Ohly of Rochester, Zachary Batcher Johnson of Shakopee, Joetta (Danny) Markow of Boise, ID and Turner Batcher Johnson of Minneapolis and Gunner Batcher Johnson of Helena, MT; one granddaughter, Charlotte Ohly of Rochester; one brother, Dr. Kurt (Elaine) Rhymers of Alexandria, VA.
He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Debra on July 8, 2009.
Arrangements were by Brenny Family Funeral Chapel of Staples, www.brenny.com.
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