Fred Kraft's Obituary
Fred Kraft Died peacefully on September 22, 2013 following a stroke which occurred August 9th. Fred was born February 12th, 1932 in Darmstadt, Germany to Wilhelm and Katarina Kraft.
Upon graduation, he went on to trade school and became a master mechanic. In 1956 he immigrated to Toronto, Canada. Two years later he moved to Tacoma. He worked for several car shops before starting his own business, Fred Kraft's German British Cars. He was considered Tacoma's Volkswagen and Porsche specialist. Fred was a sports car enthusiast and enjoyed car racing. He personally raced many times at Seattle International Raceways. His car of choice was always a Porsche. Because he was born and raised in Germany, soccer was second nature to him. He had a lifelong passion for the game. This included playing, coaching, refereeing, and sponsoring teams. He was instrumental in bringing soccer to major sports status in our community. He was involved with both professional teams that played in Tacoma. Fred's other interests included travel, snow skiing, and listening and dancing to big band music. He was very social, loved people, and enjoyed a good debate of any sort.
Fred is survived by daughter Katrina and husband John Cologerou (grandchildren Jon and Nicole), son Steve Kraft and wife Cindy (grandchildren Harrison and Hayden, brother Werner Kraft (Barbara), sister Gisela Duplacy (Alan), sister-in-law Heidi Kraft, and devoted longtime friend Liz. Predeceased by parents, brothers Willi and Klaus, and former wife Kerstin Kraft.
A celebration of life will be held at Mountain View Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 15th at 2:00pm, with reception to follow. A special thank you to the staff of the respiratory therapy unit at Park Rose Care Center. As he was a lover of all animals, the family suggests donations be made to the Tacoma Humane Society.
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