John ‘Jack’ Francis Kraus, 97, of Huntsville, Alabama, formerly of Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, died peacefully on April 15, 2020, with his wife and daughters at his side. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Dolores (Dolly) Fee Kraus; his daughters, Patricia Putnak, Kathy Straub (James) and Kimberly Kotheimer (David). Jack was a beloved “Pop Pop” to 6 grandchildren, James Putnak, Kimberly Straub, Michael Straub (Lindsey), Jamie Straub, Patrick Straub and John Kotheimer; as well as, one great-granddaughter, Sloane Straub. He will be remembered with great affection (as Uncle Fritz) by his many nephews and nieces.
Jack was born in Pittsburgh on May 4, 1922, a son of the late Joseph Benedict Kraus and Mary Josephine Kelleher Kraus (parents). He was predeceased by his brothers and sisters, Irma Merecky (Sigmund), Joseph (Helen), Raymond (Helen), Larry (Loretta), Rita Wilson (Robert), Helen McMeekin (Bill), William (Ruth), Charles, and Lois.
Jack was a WWII veteran, having landed on Omaha Beach, Normandy at age 20. He fought in many of the major campaigns in the European Theater, including in Normandy and northern France, the Battle of the Bulge and the Rhineland. He had field promotions to Staff Sergeant, was awarded the Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, and later decorated with the Legion of Honor, France’s highest order of merit.
Jack attended The University of Pittsburgh and graduated as a Chemical Engineer. He married Dolly on October 31, 1953. He started his own engineering firm, John F. Kraus & Co. After many successful years, he sold the company to his employees and retired to Florida; he eventually settled in Huntsville, Alabama to be closer to family.
Jack was an avid golfer and enjoyed many rounds with friends at Chartiers Country Club. In Florida and Alabama, he continued to play well into his eighties and “shot his age” several times. Jack and Dolly had an active social life and they loved hosting and going to parties. Their anniversary was on Halloween and lively costume parties became a part of their celebration. Thanksgiving dinner will never be the same without Pop Pop’s stuffing on the table.
A diehard Steelers fan, Jack braved many snowstorms to see a game at Three Rivers Stadium, where he held season tickets for more than twenty years. Jack was a great story teller who enjoyed his own stories so much that he would often be overcome with laughter. Jack often credited his health and long life to a nightly Manhattan. He loved crossword puzzles, which he completed in pen, and nothing pleased him more than a challenging jigsaw puzzle.
Family was most important to Jack and he adored his daughters and grandchildren. He loved babies the most and had a talent for soothing the fussiest infant with his quiet singing and walking. Pop Pop could always be counted on to take the grandkids to McDonald’s and he happily dozed through endless Star Wars movies. He was thrilled by visits from his great-granddaughter, Sloane.
Funeral services are private. A mass in his honor will be held at a future date. Memorial donations may be made to The Harris Home for Children,1210 Church St NW, Huntsville, AL 35801.
