Ramesh Khatri
Ramesh Khatri, 79, of Clear Lake, Houston, Texas, passed away on October 7, 2025. He was born on January 24, 1946, in Bangalore, India, to Amir Singh Khatri and Pritam Devi Khatri.
A NASA aerospace engineer for 38 years, Ramesh retired as the Director of Spaceflight Operations at United Space Alliance. His contributions to human spaceflight were a source of immense personal pride, and he regaled family, friends, and strangers with stories about his work on the Space Shuttle and International Space Station programs. Ramesh’s former employees remember him as one of the best and most personable leaders they ever worked for. He was known for being an effective and supportive manager who got to know each and every member of his team. Even those outside his team were so encouraged by his support that some say they wished he was their supervisor.
Ramesh was a beloved member of the Clear Lake community for 47 years. After retirement, his pace did not slow down. Every morning before dawn, Ramesh would join his friends at Ashley’s Donuts for lively conversation, then later head to Lifetime Fitness for his daily workout. Ramesh was an avid sports fan who loved attending Astros games with his sons. Although known as a card shark by his regular poker group, his game of choice was bridge. A regular at the weekly social bridge group at Lifetime, Ramesh also filled in at competitive bridge games when asked, nearly always resulting in a 1st place finish for his partner. He taught his children to play bridge, and they were amazed at his ability to know exactly who had which card by the end of the game. Even his granddaughter was inspired to learn bridge this year so they could play together.
Spending time with his grandchildren brought Ramesh great joy. It had become a weekly tradition for him to enjoy time with his granddaughters Vidya and Minerva at his home after school, spoiling them with snacks, taking them to their after school activities, and playing Uno or rummy with them. He traveled to California multiple times a year to enjoy time with his younger grandchildren, Anvi and Aero.
He is preceded in death by his wife Shashi Khatri, his parents Amir Singh Khatri and Pritam Devi Khatri, and his brother, Suresh Khatri.
Ramesh is survived by his daughter Reshma Khatri Solano, his sons Ashish Khatri and Rasish Khatri, his sisters Pratibha Ahluwalia and Manju Dua, his brother Dinesh Khatri, and four grandchildren: Vidya Sofía, Minerva Sarasvati, Anvi Simran, and Aero Akaash.
We will always remember his sharp mind, his familiar chuckle, and most of all, how he took care of us all. He taught us the importance of being on time and doing your research before making a decision. When we traveled together, even in recent years, he handled many of the details for us. He was the one who reminded us to do our taxes and take care of our cars. Our lives have been enriched by knowing him, and we will do our best to keep his legacy alive.
The funeral service will be held at Crowder Funeral Home, 2422 E Broadway St, Pearland, Texas 77581, on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 10:00 A.M. CDT. The family will begin receiving guests at 9:00 A.M. CDT.
A havan (prayer ceremony) will be held at Arya Samaj of Greater Houston, 14375 Schiller Rd, Houston, Texas 77082, on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at 2:30 P.M. CDT.
To live stream the funeral service:
Dear Khatri family,
Rita Auntie and I are so very sorry for the loss of your dad, a perfect human being in many ways. Ramesh was a wonderful person and will be missed by so many of us. Our deepest sympathies are with you all. Please know that we are here for you if you need anything.
Rita & Darshan Singla
Beautiful words. I only met him a few times but loved his personality and zest for life. May he rest in peace.
What a wonderful life story. I met and worked with Ramesh in the first job of my career in the awesome Flight Activities branch. Ramesh was a great mentor and so personable. I enjoyed running into him as the old gang is reunited virtually a couple of times in the last few years. My condolences and prayers to your family
Very sad to learn of the passing of Mr. Ramesh Khatri. May God bless his soul. My Heartiest condolences to the family.
Lachhman Das
May your memorable times and activities together as a family bring you comfort, calm, and peace.
As one of his former employees Ramesh was one of the best, if not the best manager at USA that I experienced. Every time I met with him the outcome was always positive. My sincere condolences to his family.
Ramesh was a wonderful neighbor to Jackie and me for nearly 27 years. He was always smiling and very happy to be with family and friends. His career was a very bright spot in his life and all of his friends at USA had nothing but great things to say about him.
Our condolences, thoughts and prayers will be with him and his family in this time of sadness.
Saddened to hear of Mr. Ramesh Khatri’s passing! He was a great person to work for! And my husband, Carrell Canada was a member of the Ashley Donut Coffee Club where he met Ramesh and was so excited when he learned I had been an employee of Mr. Khatri. Ramesh attended my Carrell’s funeral and I never got to thank him!
Ramesji will remain in our hearts
for ever. One can never forget his gentleness and kind disposition. God please bless his pure soul in eternal peace.
Dear Reshma, Rashish & Ashish
Thinking of you during this difficult time. Sending you love & strength as you
navigate through this challenging period.
We honour the life & achievements of our beloved brother Ramesh Khatri. He was the most caring & thoughtful person in our family. We will always cherish our childhood memories and admire his strength & resilience.
May his loving memories bring you peace, comfort & strength for years ahead.
Our Thoughts & Prayers are with you.
Pratibha & Daljeet
Aunty Uncle
Ramesh Katri was a well respected man in life and in the aerospace industry. I work for him in the 90s, He was a very good mentor and leader. Ramesh was very smart, sharp, I learned so much from him, always look out for others and point one in the right direction. He was one of my best bosses. Many smiles through the years. My condolences go out to his family. Ramesh will be dearly missed , May he rest in the pearly gates of heaven.
Dear Reshma, Ashish and Rashish
Very sad to know the loss of Mr. Ramesh Khatri. He was our ymca friend. Very regular, disciplined, and health conscious. God rest his soul in peace. Condolences 🙏 to the family.
Dear Khatri family,
Please accept sincere condolences on the passing of Ramesh. Although we were classmates at IIT-Madras, I got to know Ramesh only after coming to Houston. He was a dear friend and I enjoyed our ‘monthly’ lunches at Bombay Sweets…. Ramesh, Arun and I. He was a very caring, humble person. He spoke lovingly about taking his granddaughter to school. He operated on schedule, always the first to our lunches where he laid out the cutlery and glasses …. a result of the strong family military background I’m guessing.
May his soul rest in peace
Ramesh was a considerate and thoughtful brother in law.We will all miss his presence. Sunil & Kiran Aggarwal , Narobi, Kenya.
Ramesh was a considerate and thoughtful person.We will all miss his presence. Sunil & Kiran Aggarwal , Narobi, Kenya.
Dear Ashish, Reshma & Rasish, As you prepare to bid farewell to a very special brother in law, I would like you to know that he leaves giant shoes to fill, bit I also know that you all are a chip off the old block, so continue to have courage and strength that you have showed so far, knowing that we will always be with you all, in your new journey. He will be fondly remembered for all that he was, an intelligent, dedicated, person, with a high moral standard and a strong sense of responsibility.
Go well dear brother and friend.
We will continue to miss your chats and humorous gentle comments.
With love,
Neelam & Vijay and family.
It is with great sadness we must bear the loss of a truly accomplished and charismatic man, our dear Ramesh Uncle. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Khatri family.
May his soul rest in peace. Reshma, Ashish & Rashish we are here for you always.
JSK
Dear Reshma ,Rashish and Ashish
It is indeed a heart breaking day to bid farewell to Your Dad and my loving brother Ramesh .
He was a great person in all respects and I am sure he has left behind a irreplaceable void .
I am sure all of you will remember him and his persona and will be strong on this very difficult day .From his heavanly abode Ramesh Bhaiya will be happy seeing all three of bonded together and strong and cheerful in his absence too .
May his soul rest in peace.
Dear Khatri family. I am so sorry for your loss. I saw Ramesh a few times at Ashley’s and he was always so nice. He always said hi and asked how I was doing. He will be missed by his buddies at Ashley’s. May God bring you peace in your time of sorrow
So sorry to hear the sad news! Praying for his soul to rest in peace! Deep condolences to the family! He will be missed by the Clear Lake community and NASA family!
Sivaram and Swaraj
Dear Reshma, Rasish and Ashish,
Bidding farewell is not easy, but it is part of life. I will always remember Ramesh ji as a through gentleman always respecting and enjoying life to fullest. I pay my tribute to such energetic person. I know we all will miss him, but be strong .
So sorry to hear this news. Ramesh was my supervisor for many years at U.S.A, I have great memories of that time in MOD. I always found him supportive and personable. A good leader and a kind person . My condolences to his loved ones.
Dear Reshma, Ashish and Rasish,
Very saddened to hear this news. Praying for his soul to rest in peace. Condolences to the family.