Craig Stephen Mueller

After one and a half years of brave struggle with pancreatic cancer, Craig Stephen Mueller, age 70, met his Savior on May 23, 2025.

Craig was born April 28, 1955 in Houston, Texas, at Methodist Hospital. He is the son of the late Carl G. Mueller, Jr. and Joanne Youngblood Mueller, and lived his entire life in Houston, attending River Oaks Elementary School, Sidney Lanier Junior High, and Lamar High School, ending with 11th and 12th grades at St. Thomas’ Episcopal School where he graduated in 1973. Craig was a lifetime member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, where he was christened in 1955, sang in the children’s choir, and later served for many years in the Sunday morning Television Ministry. He was a Boy Scout with Troop 54, where he attended the 1969 National Jamboree in Idaho, received the God and Country Award, was inducted into Order of the Arrow, and earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1971. He attended TCU, and completed his education in Waco at Texas State Technical College, earning his degree in automotive engineering technology, which became his lifelong career.

Craig loved his 1967 GTO and other performance cars, and was rumored to enjoy his share of late-night racing on Augusta Drive in the 1970’s. In 1990, Craig and longtime friend Lloyd Coulson established Bellaire Auto Center where he continued to pursue his passion for cars, and where now valued friend and colleague Robert Kriehn is keeping their legacy going.

His brother, Clint, said he loved all sports…except those played with balls. Craig’s favorite pastime was spending days at Sport Flyers Airport in Brookshire, where he hangared and flew his various small planes and helicopter, spending countless hours over many years with like-minded friends who were like family to him. Craig actively participated in the Confederate / Commemorative Air Force, and fueled aircraft at its annual shows. Whether at home, the shop, or the airport, Craig loved and always found time to sit the many Mueller family dogs.

Craig is preceded in death by his father Carl G. Mueller, Jr., and grandparents: Carl G. Mueller and Louise Young Mueller; and Dr. J. Clinton Youngblood and Hilda Peterson Youngblood. He is survived by his mother, Joanne Youngblood Mueller, brothers Clint Mueller and Bob Mueller (Linda Brown); Bob’s three children: Kathryn Mueller Garoni, (husband Kyle; children Avery Michelle, Hazel Grace, and Phillip Carl); Carl McNeely Mueller (Dr. Ellen Witte; Wesley Robert); and Jennifer Mueller Sealy (George Sealy V; George Sealy VI ), cousins: Karen and James Willrodt, and their children Erika Geisenberg (Micah) and Alec Willrodt (Rachel); Jan Swenson and Bill Katz, and their sons Rob and Jeff; and Neil and Charlene Swenson. Craig is also survived by his former spouse Karin Krise Mueller, who remained a dear friend over the years; as well as many longtime Bellaire breakfast and lunchtime companions, car shop friends, and his Sport Flyers Airport gang.

Services at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, with reception to follow, to be announced soon. Burial will be at Glenwood Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials and donations may be made to St. Luke’s UMC.