Obituary of Rev. George H. Kraft

Rev. George H. Kraft entered into rest on Sunday January 29, 2017 following a life of service to the Lord, his family and community. Born July 15, 1925 in Waterbury, CT to Max and Lillian Kraft, he was the second youngest of 7 children. Following service in the Army Air Force during WW II in the Pacific Theatre, he attended Providence Bible Institute, Taylor University and completed study at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary where he earned a Master of Divinity degree with cum laude distinction. He was ordained as an American Baptist minister in 1954. He served in churches throughout New England as well as in the Lewiston and Ransomville Baptist churches. He was a devoted pastor who gave much of his time to the congregations entrusted to his care. His years at Providence Bible Institute also brought the joy of meeting and later marrying Dorothy Bourne in August 1948. This union produced three sons: Ralph, Mark and Stephen. The bonds of family were a source of both strength and comfort to him and he was a valued role model to his family. Service to community included many years with the Upper Mountain Volunteer Fire Dept, where he was active as president, in the fire police and as an EMT. He also gave his time to the Kiwanis and their charitable ventures and volunteered with his wife at Artpark. He is survived by Dorothy, his wife of 68 years, his sons Ralph (Mary) of Las Vegas, NV and Mark (Diane) of Lewiston, NY as well as his youngest brother, Donald, who resides in Bath, N.Y. He is also survived by this granddaughter, Rachel Sanchez (Joseph) of Las Vegas, NV as well as a number of nieces and nephews. Friends may call at HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, 3648 Ransomville Rd. Ransomville, on Thursday from 5 – 7 pm. Funeral Services will held on Friday, February 3, at 11:00 am at the Ransomville Baptist Church, 2578 Youngstown-Lockport Rd., Ransomville with the Rev Richard Gorrow officiating. Burial will follow in Niagara Falls Memorial Park Cemetery, Lewiston. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Upper Mountain Volunteer Fire Department, 839 Moyer Rd, Lewiston, NY 14092 or to the Ransomville Baptist Church, PO Box 96, Ransomville, NY 14131 would be greatly appreciated.