James (Jim) Charles Kratky, 83, of Traverse City, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 29, 2021.  He was born in Traverse City on May 13, 1937, to Joseph and Martha (Kunce) Kratky who proceeded him in death.

Jim graduated from Traverse City Senior High School and then joined the Navy and served six years.  He was stationed in Key West, Florida, on the USS Howard Gilmore, a Full Class Submarine Tender where he maintained and repaired submarines.

On June 14, 1958, he married the love of his life, Barbara Jean Depka.  In 1959, they moved back to Traverse City to begin their beautiful family.

From 1960-1981, Jim worked at the Traverse City Iron Works.  He began in the foundry making molds, pouring cast iron and brass metal, inspecting, grinding, and cleaning freshly poured castings.  He was promoted several times in the engineering department.  His duties were drafting, blue print reading, product design, and testing.  As head of the safety department, where he set up safety procedures and requirements for both the machine shop and foundry operations.  Finally, he assumed the role to head the Industrial Relations and Personnel Department in addition to being Safety Director.

In 1967, he built a home and bought Bardon's Wonder Freeze, a popular ice cream parlor while still working full time.  He ordered the product, maintained the equipment and building, scheduled employees, did all the bookwork, and made sure the business was run properly.

In 1981, the Traverse City Iron Works was sold to a Fortune 500 Corporation.  Jim then took Real Estate Courses and got his Real Estate License and his Brokers License and he bought and sold real estate.

In the late 90s, Jim and Barb built the "Dream Home" on Green Lake in Interlochen, Michigan.  Barbara died on August 19, 2011.  Their 53 years of marriage were filled with love, laughter, friends, family and fun.  Owning the Wonder Freeze and home on the lake really cemented their family together.  They worked together and played together.  Jim made sure his family had toys, boats, water skis and tubes, a Jeep, and snowmobiles and they all enjoyed these things together.  He made sure his family went to Disneyland and Disney World.  He made sure his kids had cars, gas to put in them, and insurance on them while they still lived at home.

He took his wife to Mexico, Arizona, Hawaii, and Florida.

He had a bout with cancer and beat it!!

He was a wonderful Father, Husband, Grandpa, Brother, and Christian.  He was always a hard worker.

Jim will be greatly missed by his four children: Kathy (Traver) Teboe, Jim (Karen) Kratky, Steve Kratky and Julie (Jason) Schmidt, and seven grandchildren: Mike Teboe, Mandy (Teboe) Deffendall, James L. (Cassandra) Kratky, Jerod (Erin) Kratky, Lynnea Kratky, Andy Schmidt, and Katie Schmidt; and six great-grandchildren.  Also surviving are brothers, Joe, Jerry, and Jack Kratky; and sisters, Jean Linger, and Janet Pitzi (Kratky). He was preceded in death by, sister Joan (Colin) Andrews.

Mass from the Order of Christian Funerals will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, May 5, 2021 from Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 720 Second St. Traverse City. Interment will follow in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.  Military honors will be conducted under the auspices of the Cherryland VFW Post #2780.  Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM until the time of services at the church. The family will receive visitors at the church beginning at 9 am until the time of mass.

The Beacon Cremation and Funeral Service, Covell-Traverse City Chapel, is in charge of the arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com