Raymond Dale Kraft's Obituary
Raymond Dale Kraft, 96 was born to John and Rachael Kraft on January 4, 1926, in Burlington Ok. He grew up working on the family's farm which started his early to bed early to rise lifelong habit, plus a love of hard physical work. He went into the Navy & was discharged in 1946 and went to college on GI bill at OSU and then Oklahoma A & M graduating as a Civil Engineer in 1950. He started out overseeing bridge building for the Bureau of Reclamation and worked for a succession of small engineering companies. He participated in the design of equipment in a nuclear plant in Idaho in the early 60s and was later vice president of engineering for John Zink company in Tulsa retiring at 67 as co-founder & vice president of engineering services for Callidus Technologies of Tulsa. After that, he did consulting work for engineering companies designing large industrial waste burners for oil refineries up until age 89. His hobby was working outside on any physical project. He loved his pet animals.
He was preceded in passing by the true love of his life, his wife of 64 years, Billie Marie Botkin Kraft; his son, Doug age 47 in 1995 victim to a drunk driver; and his infant grandson Logan. He is survived by three siblings Bob Kraft and his wife, Frances; Doris Marsh, and Joann Moore; his children, Steve Kraft and his wife, Mary; Cheryl Kraft, Katherine Kraft and her husband, Bob Woodle, Bruce Kraft, Gail Kraft, and her husband, Mark Houston; his 9 grandchildren, Katrina, Kathleen, Andrea, Shannon, Dana, Karl, Mandy, Ben, Stephen, and 14 great-grandchildren.
Raymond did not want any fuss made over his passing. His wishes were for no funeral service.
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