Dr. James E. Kraft

What’s the forecast today? SEVERE SUNSHINE. This was the optimistic outlook of Dr. James Edward Kraft, 88, who rejoined his loving parents on Tuesday, July 22, 2014. He was born in Springfield, OH, on November 15, 1925, to Milton John and Gladys Lucile Kaye Kraft. He was a retired medical doctor. Survived by his wife, Lois, of Tulsa, OK; daughter, Eveline Kathleen West and husband, Bob of Tulsa, OK; daughter, Susan Kaye Yandell and husband, Scott of Ukiah, CA; son, James Milton Kraft of Manchester, England; granddaughter, Libby Yandell of San Francisco, CA; grandson, Jack Yandell of San Francisco, CA. Step-children Debora Lynn Newman and husband Bill; David Lee Matthewson and wife Terri, and Aaron Dean Matthewson and wife, Carol Ann. In 1929 Jim rode into Tulsa in the backseat of a Model A Ford with his parents, his beloved dog Lady in his lap and his horny toad in a box. His curiosity was peaked by the sight of red dirt and he insisted on stopping the car to collect a specimen. Part of Jim’s early years were spent in Columbus, Mississippi while he and his mother Lucile cared for her ailing mother. During these years he was mentored by his mother and loving uncles Sam, Jim and Doug Kaye, and developed an expansive southern gentility for which he was known. He graduated from Will Rogers High School and received a Scholarship to the University of Tulsa. He was grateful for the personal attention and exceptional education he received during that time. In 1948 he graduated from Tulane Medical School in New Orleans and moved to Philadelphia for an internship at the Naval Hospital. In 1956 he completed his Ophthalmology residency at the Charity Hospital of Louisiana in New Orleans and moved back to Tulsa where he began his 37 year career as an ophthalmologist. He retired from his medical practice in 1993. Jim spent his 20 plus retirement years playing tennis with lifelong friends, competing in national bridge tournaments and traveling. Early every Tuesday morning Dr. Kraft performed cataract surgeries at St. John’s Hospital. These surgeries, and helping his patients to see better were his favorite part of being an ophthalmologist. Although Jim preferred anonymity in public, he often received loving praise from one of his happy and grateful patients during a dinner at one of his favorite, local restaurants. Memorial service will be 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, August 5, 2014, at Christ United Methodist Church, 3515 South Harvard, Tulsa. Moore’s Southlawn 918-663-2233 Share memories at www.moorefuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s memory to www.animalallianceok.org or www.alz.org/Oklahoma . We love you Sonny, Dad, Jim, Dr. Kraft.

Dr. James E. Kraft

November 15, 1925 - July 22, 2014