John Walter Kraus

1918 - 2022

February 5, 1918 - July 2, 2022 Born in New York City to the late Marian Florance Nathan Kraus and Dr. Walter Max Kraus. John resided in Newport Beach, CA for more than 55 years. His brother Frances was born 2 years after John. In 1939 their sister Toni Sandor Smith completed the family. During his elementary education, he and his brother lived and attended schools in Switzerland and France. John later attended New York public schools and graduated from Stuyvesant High School. He earned a BS at MIT in 1941 and an MBA at USC in 1964. He began work as an industrial engineer with TRW in Cleveland and moved to California in 1961 to join Atomics International. In 1966 he joined McDonnell Douglas Aeronautics Company. In 1993 he retired from McDonnell Douglas Space Systems as a Senior Manager and Quality Control Manager for the International Space Station. After retiring in Newport Beach, he joined the Friends of Oasis. He served on that Board for many years and also served as Commodore of the Sailing Club. He sailed up to 101 years old. John learned to sail in Cape Cod. His passion for sailing went with him to Cleveland, where he was very active in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He made many long-time, loyal yachting friends in Cleveland, and later in Newport Beach. John and Janice Edna Utter married in 1946, and John adopted Melinda and Kim, Jan's two children. In 1981 Janice passed away and he later married Jean Curtis. Jean had four grown daughters, two of whom, Cerri Cowden and Robin Horowitz, survive them. In addition to his daughters, Melinda Peters and Kim Kraus and his sister Toni Sandor Smith, John is survived by his grandchildren Jennifer and David Mutch and two great grandchildren, Loren and Lucy Mutch. Memorial Service to be held August 6, 2022 at 2pm Christ Lutheran Church, 760 Victoria Street, Costa Mesa, CA Donations may be made in John's honor to "Friends of Oasis, Oasis Sailing Club (new Boat Fund)" At: Oasis, 801 Narcissus Avenue, Corona del Mar, CA 92625