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Carl Kranz Obituary

Family-Placed Obituary

KRANZ, USAF CMSgt. (Ret.) Carl E. age 64 of Fairborn, passed away Saturday June 23, 2007 in his residence. He was born June 30, 1942 in Bay City, Michigan, the son of the late Herbert Taft and Elnora Louise (Reeder) Kranz. Carl served his country during Vietnam in the United States Air Force as a member of the Air Force Band, retiring in 1989 at the rank of Chief Master Sergeant after 28 years of service. His overseas assignments included Southeast Asia and Europe. Following retirement from the Air Force he owned and operated his own advertising agency. A 32nd Degree Mason, he was a member of Fairborn Lodge #764 F & AM. His other memberships include: current board member of the Fairborn Area Chamber of Commerce, Greene Country Club, American Legion Dignam-Whitmore Post 526, VFW Arkenberg States Post 6861, and the Elks. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by an infant son, Uwe. He is survived by his loving wife of 7 years, Kathy; a daughter, Kay McCall and husband Neal of Columbus; a sister, Janet Kranz of Williamston, Michigan; a niece, Sara Narezo of Chicago; three step-children, Robert Stacy of Huber Heights, Kevin Stacy of Pittsburgh, Kimberly Stacy of Mason, Ohio; as well as other extended family and many friends. The family will receive friends on Thursday June 28, 2007 from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M., with Masonic services at 7:45 P.M., in the Belton-Stroup Funeral Home, 422 E. Dayton-Yellow Springs Rd., Fairborn, where a funeral service will be held on Friday June 29, 2007 at 10:30 A.M., Pastor H. Wesley Barnhill officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow in the Dayton National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in Carl's name be made to The Air Force Aid Society, 241 18th St. South, Suite 202, Arlington, VA 22202.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Dayton Daily News on Jun. 26, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Carl Kranz

16 Entries

William Lolli

July 1, 2007

I got the call on my cell phone from Kay Kranz while I was driving the day Carl passed and I am glad she gave me the time to pull off to the side of the road.

As you have probably read elsewhere in this guestbook, Carl was The Chief. And as you have read elsewhere, he was a father-figure and mentor to many of us “spirited” Airman.

There is a paraphrase from the Bible that ‘those who have been forgiven much, have a greater sense of gratitude.’ I am extremely grateful to Carl for all he has done for me.

Carl was a Mentor and a Miracle Worker.

He mentored me when I needed counseling and whacked me on the head when he needed to get my attention. No matter what stupid shanannagan’s I pulled [nor how many], he always gave me a second chance—right after the Letter of Reprimand or Article 15 was signed, of course.

I am also certain that many of us can tell of the incredible miracles Carl would perform.

You Pacific Express guys from the 1970s remember this—
Like a figure out of the Old Testament, I can bear witness to seeing him pick up a radio telephone in the middle of “no-place, Korea”, where we were stuck with no food, no water, no transportation for miles around, not even a pup-tent, in a flattened rice-field near an abandoned landing strip—and call down a C-141A from the sky to pick us up.

There are more stories about the Chief, but this is only a Guest Book.

If you have a story about Chief Kranz, please email it to me. I would like to help us all build a web-based monument to this great man who did so much for us and for his country.

Carey Hendrix

July 1, 2007

I was with Carl during my two years at Clark AB, Phillippines. For about 18 months of that time, I "learned" how to be a good clerk and office manager thanks to Carl. He never slowed down whether at Clark or on one of our many trips. Short of an airplane breaking down, he made all of those trips go flawlessly, and most of us never knew all of the hard work and organizing he did before and during. He also stepped up and went to bat for anyone with special needs, like assignments and such. He was a tireless worker and a great friend to all who knew him. My condolences to the family.

Carey P. Hendrix

Tim Tyler

June 30, 2007

Much love and gratitude flows from this heart. The lives of the entire Tyler family were made richer by this man, Carl Kranz. Our thoughts, and indeed our fervent prayers are made on behalf of Kathy, Kay, and the entire family. May your sense of loss be tempered by friends of Carl who behave toward you the way he would have behaved toward us if the tables were reversed. No request too large...

ERIC STACY III

June 27, 2007

I LOVE YOU. I MISS YOU A LOT GRANDMA I LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOUR THE BEST.

Traci Miller

June 27, 2007

To Kathy and All Carl's Loved Ones,

I want to express my deepest sympathy. I am fortunate enough to have met Carl 10 years ago while selling advertising for the Fairborn Daily Herald.
He has not only been a professional colleague but a supportive, loyal and beloved friend.

He even continued to encourage me when I went to work for a newspaper that was way too liberal and artsy for Carl's sensibilities! Now that's a friend!

He will be sorely missed by me and hundreds of people who's lives he touched. Traci Miller

Tom Caldwell

June 27, 2007

I knew Carl as a client and a friend since 1989. I always looked forward to meeting with him to work on an account because he had a fabulous since of humor and a very quick mind. We shared a mutual respect and talked everything from music to politics. He went out of the way to make sure I was the rep who handled all of his accounts. I will miss him terribly. I always felt special when he called me friend.

Ian Wright

June 26, 2007

Carl was wise, compassionate and always had a moment to listen. Any advice he gave I would accept and take to heart. Carl was proud of his family and his role as a father. For many in the Air Force Band system (his extended family)he was lovingly referred as "Father Kranz" as his advice was sought by many. He had a great sense of humor, was enthusiastic, optimistic, looked at the bright side of life, and always full of energy. How he maintained those attributes while overseeing all us “numb skulls” of the 661st Air Force Band, was beyond me.

Although Carls’ passing is a sad day in my life, I can only smile when I think of him. I smile because I never had a sad day with Carl. We always laughed, shared great times and memories together, and traveled on a quest to always learn about a great many things. I will always cherish him and remember all the times, memories and efforts he made to make my life better. So, I choose to honor him with a smile whenever I remember him. I also believe in my heart, that’s exactly how he would want me to remember him…always with a smile.

I will miss my friend, mentor, teacher of life and business.

Ian Wright

Diana Kustowski

June 26, 2007

I will miss you my friend. I will always carry the great memories of you.

Sherri Crowell

June 26, 2007

Kay,
May you find much comfort in the lovely words others have written about your PaPa - He was admired and appreciated by those who knew him. Hold on to your memories and don't hesitate to ask others for strength as your mourn. With Much Love,

Douglas Hunter

June 26, 2007

Chief Kranz is a second father for me. He is my mentor. Because of my love and respect for the Chief I never could bring myself to call him by his first name, I have always called him Chief. The Chief's leadership and guidance has provided me with my career. I use the skills and fundamental ideas that I learned from this great man every day. I'm fortunate to have had the Chief take the time to help guide, teach, and shape me. My condolences to Kathy and the entire family. If there is anything that the family needs, please let me know.

June 26, 2007

My deepest sympathy. May fond memories sustain you at this time and always.
Sincerely,
Barb Howison

Kelley Grody

June 26, 2007

My dearest Kathy,

I am so sorry for your loss, as you know Carl was a VERY dear friend of mine...I will miss him deeply. If there is ANYTHING at all you need, please do not hesitate to call me any time of day or night. I love you and will be praying for you and your family.

May God bless you now & always,

Kelley & Family

Wes Compton

June 26, 2007

Ill miss you, I always respected your life. And that respect will help guild me in life.

Sally Whitehead

June 26, 2007

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Patrick Frost

June 26, 2007

I knew Carl Kranz as, "The Chief" and let me tell you, he was, "The Chief".

With all due respect to the commanders of the 661 AF band from 1983-1986, Kranz was in charge! He had a gift for knowing everything.
He could be tough, but he never failed to make you feel important,
cared for and loved. After he retired and I was out of the Air Force, He and I worked together producing jingles and advertising music in Dayton. He could inspire me like no one else. Even as a civilian, I was never comfortable calling him anything but, "Chief".

He was a helluva a man, a solid leader and a loyal friend. I will always remember him.

Dave Wadsworth

June 26, 2007

I will miss you old friend. You were a profound influence on me and my family.

Dave

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