Leroy Kraft

Leroy Joseph Kraft, 82, died August 23, 2026.

If Field of Dreams is anywhere close to reality, on August 23, 2026, heaven gained a great third baseman who loved the game, whether watching, playing, or coaching.

Leroy Joseph Kraft was born and raised in rural Park, Kansas, in a basement house with 6 siblings. His uncle Marvin was the same age and ended up becoming more like another brother to Leroy.

Leroy was the only boy in his class of three attending a one-room schoolhouse. Always athletic, he claimed the reason he could run so fast at recess was because he wore overalls. Later, Leroy attended Park High School as one of seven boys in a class of 13. It was there he met Charlotte Zerr.

Leroy married his high school sweetheart, Charlotte, in 1966 following his graduation from Fort Hays State University. They lived in various places in Kansas before settling in Greensburg in 1972.

In Greensburg, the Kraft family flourished thanks in part to the stability and character of Leroy. He was dependable. He was capable. He showed his children what a servant-leader looked like by serving the community. Anyone who knew Leroy recognized the fact that he would much rather have worked in his workshop, but he gave of his time and ability to the volunteer fire department, school board, and parish council for a number of years. He shared his love of baseball by coaching his daughters’ softball teams and his sons’ baseball teams for many summers.

Leroy was an excellent provider, demonstrating to his children that good things and good character required hard work. Some of his best demonstrations were his self-taught carpentry skills. Whether building a house or a dresser or even just a magazine rack, one “never cuts corners, and it better be smooth.” Following the 2007 tornado that destroyed Greensburg, his grandchildren claimed that the reason Grandpa’s house had walls still standing was because “Grandpa used two nails when others would use only one.” Following the tornado, Leroy and Charlotte moved to Wichita.

While living in Wichita, Leroy finished the basement of the home they purchased. He also built a gazebo in the backyard, much to the consternation of the HOA. His carpentry skills also benefited the Andover Public Library.

Leroy was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Rosalie, and his brothers, Eugene and Patrick. He is survived by his wife Charlotte, and his children: daughters Diane (Howard) Reece, Christine (Michael) Little, and Amy (Paul) Jones; and sons Eric (Jennifer), Adam (Julie), and John. His legacy includes 15 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers, Duane (Elaine), Jerry (Karen), Gail (Janice), and his sister, Janice (Larry) Manhart, and his uncle/brother, Marvin (Jeanette) Kraft. He loved and was loved by many nieces and nephews.

He was a faithful member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Greensburg for many years, and since the tornado, a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church of Andover. The family is grateful for the care Leroy received at Mount St. Mary in Wichita.

Rest easy, Dad. We look forward to resuming that game of catch.

Rosary will be at 10:00 a.m., Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 28, 2026, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.

Memorials have been established with, The Hydrocephalus Association, 6903 Rockledge Drive, Suite 740 North Bethesda, MD 20817 and Mount Saint Mary’s Nursing Home, 3700 E. Lincoln St. Wichita, KS 67218.

Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuaries — East Wichita.