Julius Adams Rasmussen

Julius Rasmussen

Julius Adams Rasmussen April 11, 1926 – January 2, 2011 J. A. “Ras” Rasmussen, 84, of Galveston, TX, passed away peacefully on Sunday, surrounded by family. Born in Lander, Wyoming to Julius Rasmussen and Gladys Lena Adams just prior to the Great Depression, Ras’ early years included riding a horse to a one-room schoolhouse from the family farm and living without electricity in cold Wyoming winters until he was 11 years old. He graduated from Riverton High School in 1943 and joined the Navy during WWII. While in the Navy, he was selected for Officer Training School and also attended Doane College. After the War, he started working in the oil and gas industry on a seismic crew. He joined Western Geophysical in 1948 and worked for them for 36 years. His adventures as a “doodlebugger” took him around the world many times. He worked extensively on seismic ships in the high seas and spent time in at least 34 different countries in Europe, South America, Australia and Asia. His wife and elder daughter joined him in living in many exotic places around the world, including four years spent in Australia. His experiences were as diverse riding out storms on the treacherous North Sea on a tiny ship to eating monkey brains as part of a negotiation process with native headhunters in South America. Although reserved and always a gentleman, he was a fine storyteller and his experience provided many interesting and humorous tales to entertain his family and friends. When his travels finally brought him stateside, he landed in Houston, Texas for a decade where he had his younger daughter. In 1977, he finally put down roots in Galveston, Texas, where he lived for 33 years. Even after retirement, Ras did not slow down. He returned to college as a hobby, earning a degree in auto mechanics. He was also an early adopter of the personal computer and continuously embraced new technology. A patriotic citizen, he graduated from the Galveston Citizen’s Police Academy and was involved with the Pachyderm Club of Galveston, working frequently as an election judge to ensure a fair political process for all. In retirement, he also started playing bridge actively in many clubs and tournaments. He was passionate about the game and was working toward the status of Life Master in Duplicate Bridge. In addition to studying the game strategy with his favorite bridge partner, Carol Bloom, he became a Bridge Director only a few years ago, with an eye toward taking to the high seas again as a Director on bridge cruises. Woodworking and craftsmanship was a lifelong hobby. He went through phases, from creating furniture and gadgets for the home, to refurbishing almost everything in his turn of the century Galveston home. He created special memories by making old fashioned wooden toys for grandchildren, neighbors and charities and helped his younger daughter make a headboard as a wedding gift to her husband. He was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Diana Jean (Whittekinde) Rasmussen of Riverton, WY, and his younger sister Hannah Adella “Ann” Ross. Survivors include his younger brother, Henry Edwin Rasmussen, his two daughters, Kathleen Anne Rasmussen-Call and husband Patrick Allan Call, and Julia Ann Rasmussen Elliott and husband Brian Elliott, four grandchildren, Amy Theresa Howard Cramer, Kristopher Michael Call, Nicholas Bryan Call, and Stephen James Call, and two great-grandchildren, all of Sugar Land, Texas. Mr. Rasmussen’s extended family includes niece Jolene Ross of Austin, TX, nephew Doug Ross and wife Deborah Stein of Portland, OR, and their children Claire Stein-Ross and honorary grandson Nathaniel Jacob “Jake” Stein-Ross. Cherished extended family includes the Adams, Boller, Gaylord and Gustin families of Wyoming, the Rasmussens and Ludwigs of Iowa, and the Cranors of Kansas and Kentucky. Julius will be missed.