John Kraus Jr.

John Kraus Jr. passed peacefully on his birthday, November 10, of natural causes at the age of 87 in Piedmont, Oklahoma surrounded by his wife, children, and extended family. "Johnny" was a long-time Kingfisher County resident known for his friendly personality and jovial spirit. Born in 1938, he was the youngest of nine children raised on the Kraus family farm in southwest Kingfisher County.

As a youth, he attended Omega School, often riding a horse named Daisy to and from the country school house. As a teenager, he traveled through the midwest working the summer wheat harvest and later worked for the local OTASCO store and government ASCS office.

John met the love of his life, Barbara Jean (Jeannie), in 1968, and they were married on December 27. They raised four children together as faithful members of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church. John was a dedicated family man who loved his children and gave his free time supporting endeavors in sports, music, Scouting, dance, and karate.

John worked as a shift supervisor for Dayton Tire and Rubber Company (later Firestone) for 30 years, traveling through the United States and to Japan training workers at other assembly plants. After retirement, he worked part time driving for Cherokee Strip Taxi Service in Kingfisher County, making many friends shuttling residents throughout central Oklahoma.

Growing up on the land, he loved fishing, camping, hunting, and outdoor adventure and taught these skills to his children. In retirement, he enjoyed woodworking and created many keepsakes that remain as family heirlooms. In later years, John and Jeannie traveled to celebrate important milestones in the lives of their children and grandchildren. At the time of his passing, John and Jeannie were married 56 years.

John is survived by his wife Jeannie; his children Barry and wife Kathy, LeAnn (Helt) and husband Eric, Darren and wife Jeni, and Clint; grandchildren Brandon Kraus and wife Anna, Kaitlyn Francis and husband Clint, Zachary Kraus, and Evan Kraus; great grandchildren Kora and Kollyns Francis; sister Elizabeth Ivie and brother, Edward Kraus. He was preceded in death by his parents; John Sr. and Frances Kraus; siblings Lucille (Rund), Walter, Clarence, Robert, Francis, and Franklin; and grandson Creed Kraus.

John's life will be celebrated in a Funeral Mass at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Kingfisher Oklahoma on November 14 at 10:00 AM. A rosary is scheduled for Thursday evening, November 13 at 6:00 PM at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church viewing will be held at Wilson Funeral home prior to the wake from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Funeral services are under the direction of Wilson Funeral Home.