Arthur Palmer Kraft

March 26, 1931-Oct. 27, 2021

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Arthur Palmer Kraft, 90, of Banning, Calif., died peacefully at home from complication from dementia with family by his side. Born in Pomona, Calif., the son of Frank and Marguerite (née Palmer) Kraft.

Attended college 1951 to 1953 at Oklahoma A&M, Stillwater, Okla. (now Oklahoma State University). He joined the Army in 1953, in 1955 he met his future wife in Garmisch, Germany, Gladys Blair who was there with the Air Force. They married Christmas evening that year in Gladys’ hometown of Wadena, Minn.

Art worked at his parent’s dairy in Banning, the Sun Up Dairy as a co-manager and route driver until 1962. From 1959 to 1962 he joined the Banning Fire Dept. as a volunteer. From 1962 to 1966 he was a Fire Prevention Inspector, 1966 to 1968 Fire Engineer and finally to Fire Chief in 1968 to 1972. After he was let go from the Fire Dept. He eventually joined the State Fire Marshal’s office out of the Bishop, Calif., in 1974 until 1981 when their house between Bishop and Mammoth burned down. With the insurance, they bought a business in South Fork, Colo. They sold the store in 2002 to enjoy retirement in Banning.

Always reading and learning, while with the Fire Dept., he would even use his vacation time to attend classes to improve his knowledge of the fire service. If he wasn’t sure how to do something, he would find a book and read about it.

Art was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Marguerite, and brothers, Jack and Donald.

He is survived by his wife, Gladys and son, Jack of Banning and granddaughter, Minna of Stockton, Calif.

Art will be interred at the National Cemetery in Riverside, Calif. Services and interment will at the National Cemetery in Riverside at 11:15 on Dec. 13 in Area No. 4.