Kim and boys, I am so sorry to hear this news! Chris was a great guy and I enjoyed knowing him through all our activities. You are all in our thoughts and prayers in this difficult time.
Loren Snell
September 22, 2023
Sorry for your loss, very sad. Was one of the coaches with CRAA when Chris swam. Made several trips to meets and Junior nationals in Omaha with the team while Chris was swimming. Prayers to the family and friends. Rest in peace Chris
Brian Reeves
September 22, 2023
Sorry 😞 for your loss I considered him a close friend as well as competitor. He, along with others was generous with their praise and coaching even with competitors of lesser ability.
Will miss him Wags
Paul Wagner
September 22, 2023
We will miss him forever. The Reid twins.
Amanda Reid
September 22, 2023
Even though I never met Chris, his Dad was a business associate and friend for many years. He always talked about Chris and his his accomplishments and I felt that I knew him. His Dad was so proud. My deepest condolences to all the family. May he rest in peace.
Brian Haggerty
September 22, 2023
The Pipkin family is thinking of you all and holding you up in prayer. We are so sorry for your loss.
Tina Pipkin
September 22, 2023
Even though I never met Chris, his Dad was a business associate and friend for many years. He always talked about Chris and his his accomplishments and I felt that I knew him. His Dad was so proud. My deepest condolences to all the family. May he rest in peace.
Brian Haggerty
September 22, 2023
Even though I never met Chris, his Dad was a business associate and friend for many years. He always talked about Chris and his his accomplishments and I felt that I knew him. His Dad was so proud. My deepest condolences to all the family. May he rest in peace.
Brian Haggerty
September 22, 2023
The Fashimpaur family is thinking of you your family at this time. We are sorry for the loss of your wonderful father who made a difference in many lives of students.
Karen Fashimpaur
September 23, 2023
The Pipkin family is thinking of you all and holding you up in prayer. We are so sorry for your loss.
Tina Pipkin
September 23, 2023
My daughter is a former student and spoke very highly of Mr. Cruise. My sincerest condolences to your entire family.
Chris Runneals
September 23, 2023
Thinking of Kimberly, Tyler and Conner during this very difficult time. Hopefully cherished memories with Chris will help you through your grief, difficult times and through the years.
Danelle Marker
September 24, 2023
Thinking of Kimberly, Tyler and Conner during this very difficult time. Hopefully cherished memories with Chris will help you through your grief, difficult times and through the years.
Danelle Marker
September 24, 2023
Thinking of Kimberly, Tyler and Conner during this very difficult time. Hopefully cherished memories with Chris will help you through your grief, difficult times and through the years.
Danelle Marker
September 24, 2023
Thinking of Kimberly, Tyler and Conner during this very difficult time. Hopefully cherished memories with Chris will help you through your grief, difficult times and through the years.
Danelle Marker
September 24, 2023
We are thinking of the Cruise and Reid families, especially Kim, Conner and Tyler, and Chris' parents, during this challenging time.
Chris and I grew up involved in youth ministry and many, many years of choir at St. Paul's United Methodist in Cedar Rapids. Almost every Wednesday in practice and Sunday at the 9:30am service we sat next to one another singing in the middle and high school choirs. A good many of those Sundays it was just Chris, David Meier, and I making up the tenor and bass sections. We grew quite close during our high school years, supporting one another and sharing our challenges and successes with academics, sports, dating and relationships.
Looking back with (some) wisdom gained from the accumulation of life's years, what was abundantly evident from those early years was Chris' work ethic, dedication to see things through, and his devotion to caring for others - genuine and sincere caring. Those characteristics proved to serve him well as educator, coach, husband, and father. His serious outward demeanor belied a sharp wit, and I recall many episodes where we would be laughing so hard over something or another during choir practice that the director would have to resort to yelling at us.
Each of us who came into one of the orbits of Chris' life - even if for a short time - are better for it. May you rest in peace my friend.
Robert Keller
September 25, 2023
We are thinking of the Cruise and Reid families, especially Kim, Conner and Tyler, and Chris' parents, during this challenging time.
Chris and I grew up involved in youth ministry and many, many years of choir at St. Paul's United Methodist in Cedar Rapids. Almost every Wednesday in practice and Sunday at the 9:30am service we sat next to one another singing in the middle and high school choirs. A good many of those Sundays it was just Chris, David Meier, and I making up the tenor and bass sections. We grew quite close during our high school years, supporting one another and sharing our challenges and successes with academics, sports, dating and relationships.
Looking back with (some) wisdom gained from the accumulation of life's years, what was abundantly evident from those early years was Chris' work ethic, dedication to see things through, and his devotion to caring for others - genuine and sincere caring. Those characteristics proved to serve him well as educator, coach, husband, and father. His serious outward demeanor belied a sharp wit, and I recall many episodes where we would be laughing so hard over something or another during choir practice that the director would have to resort to yelling at us.
Each of us who came into one of the orbits of Chris' life - even if for a short time - are better for it. May you rest in peace my friend.
Robert Keller
September 25, 2023
Please accept my belated condolences on the death of your son, Chris. Linda, I remember you talking about him many times. I didn't know Chris except through his Mom. If he was as nice as his mother, he was a good man.
Dale Kueter
October 3, 2023