SUMMERFIELD – Charles Frederick Kraak, moved from his earthly home to his heavenly home on February 16, 2014. He was born in St. Louis, MO, on June 25, 1932, the only child of the late Fred & Helen Kraak. When seven years old, they moved to Collinsville, IL, where he graduated from Collinsville High School in 1950 was first team all-state in basketball and subsequently, was selected to the IL Hall of Fame by the IL Basketball Coaches Assn.
Charlie attended Indiana University on a basketball scholarship, graduated in 1954 with a degree in physical education, was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity and a member of the 1953 NCAA basketball championship team. He later earned a degree in police administration and public safety from Michigan State University. Charlie spent thirty years in the US Army (Military Police Corps) including tours in Korea & Vietnam, graduated from the Command & General Staff College in Leavenworth, KS, and the Army War College in Carlisle, PA. Significant assignments were working in the MIA/POW Task Force in the Pentagon, CID Commander in Europe, Provost Marshall in the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, NC, retired a colonel at the age of 52. The military lifestyle required frequent relocations culminating in many friends & wonderful memories. In 2002, he moved from Fairfax, VA to the Spruce Creek Golf & Country Club in Summerfield, FL.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, the former Shirley Russell, a daughter, Karol Williams of Springfield, VA, a son, Gregory Kraak & his wife Robin, of Phoenix, AZ, a brother-in-law, Tom Achter of Penn Valley, CA, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Charlie had a tremendous sense of humor, always enjoyed a festive occasion and a good laugh. Treasure each other in the recognition that we do not know how long we will have each other.
Visitation will be on Friday, February 21, 2014 from 9:30 -11:00 a.m. at the Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, 1511 Buenos Aires Blvd., The Villages, FL with a funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m. Charlie will be laid to rest with full military honors at the Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL.
