John Robert Kranik

The Kranik family lost a cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and hero on January 25, 2012. John Robert Kranik lived his life with "no regrets" and will forever be remembered as the consummate father, loving husband, thoughtful friend, accomplished businessman, skilled athlete, continuous learner and world traveler who lived every single day to its fullest.

John was born on January 30, 1941 in Jersey City, NJ to John Bolislaw Kranik and Mary Agnes Kuzniar. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Newark (N.J.) College of Engineering in 1967, and a Master of Science degree in solid mechanics from Syracuse University in 1972.

John joined IBM in Poughkeepsie, New York in 1967 as an Associate Engineer. He was appointed to management in 1976 as a Development Engineer, and progressed quickly through the engineering ranks, holding numerous senior management positions. Kranik achieved the second Invention Achievement Award plateau and holds four United States patents. He received two Outstanding Innovation Awards and is the author of several published articles. In 1993, John was assigned by IBM to Sematech in Austin, Texas, where he served as Director of Total Quality. He later worked for MKS Instruments as Senior Director of Worldwide Accounts and Manager of the Austin office until retirement in 2007.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Kranik and his first wife Sandra V. Kranik. John is lovingly survived by his wife, Melanie Kranik of Austin, TX; his children: John R. Kranik, Jr. of New York, NY; Bryan H. Kranik and his wife Christy of Austin, TX; James David Walker and his wife Vicki of Atlanta, GA; and Carrie M. Walker of Germantown, MD. In addition, John (Papa) is survived by his three, precious grandchildren whom he adored: Hudson Beau Kranik, Hannah Veronica Walker, and Morgan Riley Walker. John's sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and James Lynch, survive in Bayville, NJ. He is also survived by his nieces Susan Mazzara and her daughter Stacy of NJ and Virginia Smith of NM. Tim Smith, John's nephew, survives in NC.

A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 at Emmaus Catholic Church in Lakeway, TX. Private family burial at Forest Oaks Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the Kranik family would like to request that donations in John's memory be made to the ALS Association South Texas Chapter, 8600 Wurzbach Rd. , Ste. 700, San Antonio, TX 78240. The family would like to thank their wonderful friends and family for the continuous love and support.