John Michael Kratky Jr., of Vero Beach, passed away on June 12, 2015.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Joan S. Kratky; three sons, John Michael Kratky, (Valerie), Christopher William Kratky (Anne) and Thomas Dale Kratky (Kristen) and his daughter, Karen Kratky Marion (Mark); 11 grandchildren; his siblings Carol (Robert May) and Nancy (David DeWalle); and five nephews. He is also survived by his stepchildren Jody Strait, Donald S. Strait (Debbie Fins) and Sara Strait Egan (Brad) and four step-grandchildren.
Kratky was born on May 1, 1934 in St. Louis, Mo., where he spent his formative years. His educational experience culminated in 1956 with a Chemical Engineering degree from Washington University in St. Louis, where he was a member of the football team and the Theta Xi fraternity.
He moved his family to Darien, Conn., in 1965, and lived in the Fairfield County, Conn., area until moving to the Sea Oaks community in Vero Beach in 1991.
He dedicated his entire career to Mobil Oil, where he began his employment as an intern in 1955 and continued to serve in the Economics and Planning division as a Manager of Trading and Acquisitions until his retirement in 1991.
Kratky was a proud and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was a life-long avid tennis and handball player, fisherman, boater, community volunteer, and gardener. He was a logic-driven man with a generous spirit. He was practical to the core, unimpressed by material possessions with an unwavering passion to impart to generations below him the requisite tools to live productive and positive lives.
A private family service will be held. A Memorial Service will take place at a later date in, Vero Beach. Memorial donations may be made to Hibiscus Children’s Center 1145 12th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960. A guest book may be signed at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.