Blue Hill Leader, Blue Hill, NE, 27 Oct 2004, "Campbell News"

GEORGE ALLEN KRAL

George Allen Kral, son of John J and Zena Best Kral, formerly of Holstein, died October 17, 2004, in Wishon, CA at the age of 87.

Survivors are three sons, George Allen of Loveland, CO, Jerry of Wishon, CA, Jim of Northern California, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

His remains were cremated.

Here is a memorial written by his siblings:

George Allen Kral has died of brain cancer at the age of 87. He passed away peacefully at his home in Wishon, California on October 18, 2004.

George will be remembered as a witty, fun-loving, and extremely kind individual who cared deeply about his family, friends, and anyone else who was in need of a helping hand. The people in the communities of North Fork, Madera, and many areas of Fresno can attest to that. There was never a need to ask; the need, itself, seemed to be enough. Although seniors always held a special spot in his heart, there were certainly no lines drawn when his help was needed. He was there with a sympathetic ear, a friendly smile, and encouraging words.
The last 25 years of George's life was devoted to ensuring a quality of life for seniors through his involvement with the Fresno-Madera Area Agency on Aging. He was appointed to the Advisory Council in 1983 and served as chair from 1985 through 1987. In 1995, George was appointed to the Board of Directors and was serving as chair at the time of his death. He had been very active in planning the Fresno Seniors Resource Center and was also affiliated with the Oakhurst Senior Center, Madera Council on Aging and the North Fork Nutrition site.

In his devoted service to others, George Kral gave of his time, resources, and tremendous energy. The scope and quality of his advocacy, volunteerism, and devotion to the service of seniors and people of all ages, placed him in a special category.

Although George never learned how to read music, he was blessed with a beautiful voice and frequently shared his talent at Senior and community celebrations and patriotic events. His dear friend, Harriet Cozean, often accompanied him on the piano.

One of 11 children, George was born on May 28, 1917 to John J. Kral and Hannah Best Kral in Holstein, Nebraska. He attended school and worked on his parents' farm until he was 16 years old, when he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and served for one year. During that time, he became good friends with Robert Fate, who would later introduce him to the love of his life, Beulah Fay Fate.

At age 17 George met up with an elderly gentlemen who was in need of someone to drive his car to the West Coast. George agreed to travel with him to California, which became his home for the next 70 years.

In 1937, Bob Fate introduced George to his younger sister, Beulah (Bea), and it was love at first sight. Following a brief courtship, Bea and George returned to their home state of Nebraska to be married in Hastings on May 31, 1937. It was a whirlwind romance that endured for 64 years, ending only after Bea's death in 2001.

As a young man, George worked for a number of companies including Helms Bakery and the Frito Company, where he was one of the first employees to be hired. The Kral family lived in Los Angeles, Bakersfield. During WWII, George served in the U.S. Army.
After holding down a number of different jobs including the establishment of his own restaurant, George retired in 1959. At that time he and Bea moved back to Bakersfield for ten years and then to Paradise, California. In 1976, George and Bea were named Worthy Patron and Worthy Matron of the Paradise Masonic Temple of the Order of Eastern Star. Eventually they settled in Wishon, a small town near Yosemite National Park, where they lived the remainder of their lives.

George is survived by his three sons and their families: Eldest son, George Alan Kral, his wife, Lynn, daughters Judy and Ginger Kral, and son George; Jerry Wayne Kral and his daughters Jenee Thomas, Kathy Poe, and Robyn Lemmons; his third son, James Lorren Kral, wife Linda, son David, and daughters Tina Little and Jenece Whitted. In addition to his nine grandchildren, George also had 18 beautiful great grandchildren, all of whom he was extremely proud. He also leaves behind three loving sisters: Shirley Carothers of Perris, California, Hannah Nicholas of Placentia, California and Ona Lindeman of Banta, California. His niece, Dianne Read, and nephew, Andrew Read-Fuller, along with countless other relatives, loved him deeply and will greatly miss his jovial, avuncular presence in their lives.
One thing is certain, the world is a better place because George Allen Kral was here. He enriched the lives of all who had the good fortune to know him and he will be missed beyond words.
A Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date.