James H. Kraft Sr.

of 5 children born to John & Dovie Kraft. He attended Henrietta Elementary in Bowie

County, Texas and later went to Red Hill School, a one-room school house, in Chidester,

Arkansas.

In September 1946, at the age of 17, he joined the Army and became a cook. In

February 1949, he joined the Air Force and became a driver for the Captain.

He worked many types of jobs which included picking cotton, painting billboards,

working at a shoe factory & manufacturing fans at Belter's Electric in St. Louis, MO

where he met his wife Jean.

Jim & Jean were married January IS, 1955 in St. Louis, MO. That same year, they drove

with Jean's son Steve in their '41 Plymouth to Bloomington, CA where they raised

children Steve, Karen & James Henry Kraft Jr.. In 1958, they moved to Riverside where Jim worked as a

welder for 11 years at Dunham-Bush. In 1964, youngest daughter Kitten was born. 2

years later the family returned to St. Louis & Marshfield, Missouri for a short while

before finally resettling in Riverside from 1970 to present.

Jim returned to work as a burner/welder for 19 years at Kaiser Fab & later on at Ameron

Steel in Fontana, CA. He retired in 1991.

Growing up on the rivers of Arkansas and Texas, Jim loved taking his kids hiking down at

the river bottom & up Mt. Rubidoux. He always knew the names of all the birds and

trees they saw. He loved reading his history & law books for hours.

James is preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Jean Kraft ('94) and their oldest son

Steve Loane ('95). His long-time friend Blanche passed away shortly before he did.

He is survived by his daughter Karen (Mike) Jakcsy, son Jay Kraft & daughter Kitten

(Roger) Crott of Riverside. A brother Johnny & a sister Joan Kraft of Arkansas. Also,

grandchildren Steve L., Denise, Lauren, Kyle, Tim, Steve J., Nick, Jonny, Ryan, Austin, Jax,

Dylan, Cam, Mada, Kailee & Hailey.