John Kraft was a man who loved life and lived it on his terms. Born on July 12, 1965, he died September 21, 2018. He was the man that would stop and give a crossing guard a bottle of water on a hot summer day, stop to help a stranger change a tire, and grab his chain saw to help neighbors cut up fallen limbs after a storm. John Kraft would help someone out with a project and lose money on the deal - just because he liked them. When he didn’t like the behavior of people, he would not hesitate to call them out. Whether it was cutting in line at the bank or driving poorly on the road, everyone knew when you got the John Kraft talking to. While it wasn’t fun, there was always a lesson to be learned. Pay your bills on time. Make your bed every day. Do the right thing. Save your money. Give often.
He was born in Freeport, Illinois, a 1983 graduate of Centerpoint High School and a devoted Marine, serving from 1983-1987. He married his wife Karen on June 17, 1989 and ran a successful construction business under his name since 1990.
He is preceded in death by Ed Taylor, Sr., the man to whom he attributes his work ethic, values and sense of generosity. Pa Taylor is the man who took John under his wing becoming the father figure for a lost young boy. That boy became the man who has impacted so many lives.
He is survived by his wife Karen Kraft and his sons Taylor and Mason. The pride he held in his heart for the success of his children and the love he had for his wife was apparent to all who knew him. As was modeled for him, he is also survived by his adopted daughter, Kirsten Strickler. In addition, he is also survived by his siblings Nancy Reece, Jim Kraft and Char Ann Lackey.
A memorial service will be held for John at First Baptist Church in Frisco, 7901 Main Street, Frisco, TX at 11:00am on Saturday, September 29, 2018. A reception at the residence will follow as we ask everyone to share their favorite John Kraft stories and memories while toasting him with a Bud Light with a lime “because he was gay that way.”
In lieu of flowers, the family asks to make a donation in John’s name to the Semper Fi Fund in memory of him and of his service. https://semperfifund.org/ To help notify the family, please use John’s email address, [email protected].
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