Erich H. Krumm, Jr.

Erich H. Krumm, Jr., known to his most favorite people as "Papa," went home to be with Jesus on December 12, 2022. He often humbly quoted Paul while battling cancer, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21, NIV). Many times, he encouraged his loved ones and friends with his belief that he was a winner either way: if he lived, he got more time with them, and if he died, he got Jesus. Today, he is most definitely the biggest winner! Born to Erich H. Krumm, Sr. and Jenneive Lavalle Krumm on December 8, 1933, he grew up in Galveston, TX with his siblings Grace, Sadie Jeanne, and Augie. A skilled craftsman and cabinet maker, his father began teaching Erich at a young age and passed on a love for fashioning beautiful and intricately detailed works. He handmade much of the furniture in his home and lovingly personalized a special memory or jewelry box for each of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. As a boy, Erich also was active in Boy Scouts, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout, and he became an R.O.T.C. officer while at Ball High School in Galveston. With the help and encouragement of his Aunt Jacque, he applied for and began attending the University of Houston in 1951. After proudly serving his country in the United States Army from 1953-1955 in the Panama Canal Zone, he completed his Bachelor's Degree in Forestry at Colorado State University in 1958. He would go on to receive a Master's Degree in Forestry from Purdue University in 1966. On December 18, 1954, he married his first love Julia Lou Cumpston. They made Huntsville their home, as Erich began an almost 40 year career as a forester with Champion International and Julia shared her love of music with children as a piano and organ teacher. Together, they raised three daughters: Kathleen, Kären, and Kristina. His family was of the utmost importance to him, and he could often be found proudly sharing stories about his girls' successes--even writing updates to family and friends in his Christmas letters. Erich was incredibly proud of Julia and the work she did, and when she unexpectedly passed in December 1991, he memorialized her love of music through scholarships and endowments. Most people dream of having one great love. Jesus blessed Erich with two. On March 4, 1995, he married Lillian, and the two of them began a new adventure. They thoroughly enjoyed traveling, and when Erich retired from Champion in 1997, they traveled even more: snow skiing, hiking, and even bought a travel trailer. Between Erich's 3 daughters and Lillian's 2 daughters, they stayed busy visiting family, watching the girls get married, and welcoming more grandchildren and great grandchildren to the world. Kären and Michael had already blessed them with 2 grandchildren, and they loved the opportunity to spend time with and spoil all of them, whether walking logs, finding trails, or riding the go kart on their 10 acres or traveling to see the grandchildren. Erich had a tremendous extended family in his church family at Faith Lutheran and his work family at Champion International. He considered it an honor to serve the Lord and his people in multiple capacities at Faith. Over the years, he taught Sunday School with his good friend Dr. David Knuth, participated in an adult men's Bible study, and served as an elder and on both the Finance and Building and Grounds committees. He built many life-long friendships with the people at Faith Lutheran. Living life with other believers not only helped strengthen his own faith but also provided a community to live through the good times and the bad. At Champion, Erich used his knowledge of forestry as a Silviculturist and held many positions from District Forester to Manager of Timberlands in the Texas Region, as well as holding memberships in multiple forestry organizations. Employees at Champion were known to call themselves "the Champion family," planned reunions and company picnics, and stayed in touch with and involved in one another's lives. Erich always spoke fondly of the bond he had with the people in both of these places and enjoyed the memories he made with them. As much as he loved his family and his extended family, Erich's most important relationship was with Jesus. It was his greatest joy and what gave him the capacity, strength, and wisdom to lead well in his own family, at church, and work. Erich would be the first to admit he was not perfect, but now before Jesus, he is able to testify, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing," (2 Timothy 4:7-8, NIV). He is preceded in death by his parents Erich and Jenneive Krumm, his first wife Julia Krumm, and sisters Grace Posey and Sadie Holman. Erich is survived by his wife Lillian Krumm; brother Augie Krumm; daughters Kathleen Krumm and partner Tex Low, Kären Zalesak and husband Michael, Kristina Warren, Holly McMichael and husband BJ, and Brandy Lazarine and husband Adam; grandchildren Collin Zalesak and wife Grace, Connor Zalesak and wife Chloe, Elijah McMichael, Trinity McMichael, Melissa Garrido, Erich Warren, Eva Warren, Keslie Lazarine, Kale Lazarine; great grandchildren Shepherd Zalesak and Truman Zalesak; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. The family wishes to thank Nurse Phee and Sarah and the staff at 1st Choice Hospice and the wonderful caregivers Hattie, Ronnie, Dorothy, Melisa, Carla, and Dawn who took such gentle and loving care of Erich in his final months. Your kindness has been encouraging and comforting. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Faith Lutheran Church, specifically the youth group, or A Time 2 Read, Inc. A visitation will be held on Saturday December 17, 2022 at 1:00pm and services will begin at 2:00pm at Faith Lutheran Church in Huntsville, Texas. Memorial condolences to the family may be made at www.shmfh.com.

Erich H. Krumm, Jr.

December 8, 1933 - December 12, 2022