John Herbert Kraus

December 22, 1933 – December 21, 2024

John Herbert Kraus entered into eternal life with Jesus Christ on December 21, 2024, just one day shy of his 91st birthday. He couldn’t wait to be with the love of his life, Patricia (Patty), who gained eternal life just four months ago.

John was born and raised in San Antonio. He attended St. Gerard Catholic School, graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1952, then attended St. Mary’s University, graduating with a degree in accounting in 1956. He received a Master’s in Comptrollership from Syracuse University in 1971.

John and Patty were married on July 3, 1954, at St. Gerard Catholic Church. Their 70 years of loving marriage stood as an example of their unwavering faith in our Lord and Savior.

After college, John was commissioned into the United States Army where he achieved the rank of Colonel, serving our great country for 27 years as a field artillery officer and then comptroller. His service earned him numerous awards and medals including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Purple Heart for combat injuries sustained in Vietnam.

Following military retirement, John and Patty settled back in San Antonio, where John worked as the accountant for HalJohn – San Antonio, Inc. until his retirement in 2000.

In their retirement years, John and Patty loved to take cruises and RV. Patty was the planner and John was the driver as they crisscrossed the United States, enjoying and learning all about our beautiful country. John’s favorite vacation was a 9-week RV trip through the northern US and Canada with his brother-in-law and sister-in-law.

John is survived by his children, Karen (Rick) Stockstill, Kathy Lynch-Teofilak, Lynne Kraus (Bob Mutz), Doug (Sherri) Kraus, Janice (Mike) Troy, Joyce (Ed) Taylor, and Angie (Johnny) Rayburg; his daughter-in-law Rebecca Kraus; and 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, each a testament to the beautiful faith John and Patty instilled in their family.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Patty; his son John Kraus, Jr.; his parents, John Joseph Kraus and Elizabeth Marie Seekatz; his siblings, Francis Kraus, Lorraine Haecker, and Gladys Keeble; and his son-in-law Ted Teofilak.

We are sincerely thankful for the incredible staff at the Army Residence Community and VITAS Healthcare for their compassionate care of John and our family.

A rosary will be held on Wednesday, January 15, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 6680 Crestway Dr., San Antonio, TX 78239, followed by a funeral mass at 11:30 a.m. with Fr. Alex presiding, and a committal service at 1:30 p.m. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, TX 78209. A reception will follow at 2:30 p.m. at the Army Residence Community - Sky Lounge (high-rise building), 7400 Crestway, San Antonio, TX 78239, where everyone is welcome to join us in remembering the legacy of John Kraus.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial donations be made to: School Sisters of Notre Dame, Development Office, 10700 West Research Dr., Suite 145, Wauwatosa, WI 53226.