Christopher Ray Stargel

Christopher R. Stargel

June 23, 1973 ~ April 27, 2026

Christopher ‘Chris’ Ray Stargel, 52, of Omaha, Neb., left his broken earthly body and entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior on April 27, 2026. 

Born to Ronald and Barbara Stargel on June 23, 1973, Chris spent much of his childhood in South Amherst, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, before moving to Omaha. He loved sports and played football, basketball and baseball until he discovered horses and horse racing. Chris became a jockey and had the first of his 84 career wins at Aksarben in 1991. After six years of riding at multiple tracks around the country, he retired and began a career in carpentry that ultimately led to his own successful business, Stargel Carpentry Services. He trimmed hundreds of homes and apartments in the area, training multiple employees in the craft.

Chris was an avid golfer and enjoyed competing in many area tournaments and trips with his brother, Rob, to Arizona courses. His time in Cleveland made him a life-long Indians fan and he saw the team play in many stadiums around the country. Chris was a talented musician, playing percussion and guitar and writing songs for many years. From recording in a local studio to taking off without telling anyone to record two songs in Nashville, if he set his mind to do something, he would do it. He was also a zealous fan of the Boys Town Cowboys and supported his Dad’s cross country and basketball teams, and the football team for decades.

The best decision he ever made was when he chose to repent and fully surrender his life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. From that moment on, he made choices to serve the Lord through the giving of his time, talents and finances. In 2007, he joined the worship team of a local ministry which led him to driving downtown three times a week to play drums, sing and lead Bible study. Many times he also brought along others who had no way to get there. He was always thinking about how he could help someone else.

In 2008, after a few months of Facebook communication and leading worship together, he asked his future wife, Erin, to go to dinner. She was his the moment he asked. Though they agreed they could have gotten married after the second date, God planned a 3 ½-year wait for the perfect moment, when they entered their marriage covenant on August 6, 2011. Nine months later, they were blessed with their precious Grace Ann on May 3, 2012. Twenty months after that on January 17, 2014, Ella Mae Lucille joined a family that they thought was complete, but wasn’t.

God led Chris and his family to become Family Teachers at Boys Town in 2014, and on their third anniversary, they had dinner in the house that would become their home for almost four years. Chris was a father-figure to more than 30 boys, many who never had a man who supported them in a way a boy needs. His love, support and wisdom continued years after at his home outside of Boys Town, sometimes having close to the same number of kids visiting or staying compared to what they had on campus. He and his family have been blessed to have a few bonus sons and daughters (and now bonus grandchildren) who will forever be part of their family.

As he was rebuilding and expanding his carpentry business after working at Boys Town, he was afflicted with sepsis which led to six and a half years of suffering from the debilitating effects of the most rare and severe form of Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Left without even the ability to blink, he fought for many years to regain some movement in his face and neck. He showed that he was still able to understand and communicate using what control he had to answer ‘yes’ and ‘no’ questions. Though his voice was deeply missed, all were thankful to still have his presence and prayers. His faith and his fight were what kept him with us as he was trapped in his body. Unable to fully communicate with anyone except his Savior, he communicated that he prayed and that he loved all of his family. There has been no greater warrior than Christopher Ray Stargel. We know that he didn’t want to leave us, but God said it was time for this good and faithful servant to be released from his earthly prison and be made whole and healthy in Heaven. We mourn with hope knowing that these light and momentary trials will fade away when we meet again. Only when we get to Heaven will we know what mountains his prayers moved and what miracles came to pass in each one of our lives because of his unending faith in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

Chris was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ray & Mary Stargel, and Ted & Lucille Krauth; his uncle, Randy Krauth; and his sister-in-law, Lauran Ostberg.

Chris is survived by his wife, Erin; his daughters, Grace and Ella; his parents, Ron & Barb Stargel; his brother, Rob (Ashley) Stargel, and nephews Blake, Tate and Blair; his parents-in-law, Murray & Ann Ostberg; his brother-in-law, Erik (Shanita) Ostberg, and nieces Arion, Emilia and Lilyann, and nephew Joshua; his sister-in-law, Caitlin; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins from Nebraska to Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for educational support for Grace and Ella.

Visitation: 5:00 pm ~ 7:00 pm, Thursday, April 30th, 2026 at Braman Mortuary (Millard Chapel).

Celebration of Life: Friday, May 1st, 2026 at 11:00 am, at Braman Mortuary (Millard Chapel).

INTERMENT: Flower Hill Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for educational support for Grace and Ella.

For more details, visit bramanmortuary.com

Braman Mortuary & Cremation Services

6505 S. 144th St.