Henry J. Kratt, Sr. The memorial service for Henry J. Kratt, Sr. will be held Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 2:00 PM at St. Pauls Episcopal Church, with Reverends Luther Ott and Walton Jones officiating. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Henry J. Kratt, Sr., 77, of Meridian, MS died March 2, 2010, four months after being diagnosed with lung cancer. He was the eldest child of Emil J. and Lucy F. Kratt, born Dec. 27, 1932 in Jackson, MS. In his early years the growing family moved throughout the southeast with his father's work as civil engineer. In 1945 the Kratt family returned to Charlotte, NC where Henry graduated from public schools, later attending Mars Hill College, subsequently serving two years in the US Army during the Korean War stationed in Pisa, Italy. After discharge, he earned a BA and MA in mathematics at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC. After graduation, he worked at Southern Bell as an economist and remained with Bell Systems during his professional life in Charlotte, Atlanta, Birmingham and New York City. He also attended graduate school at Florida State University taking coursework towards a Ph.D. in higher education. Upon retirement from Bell Systems, he and his wife Rita moved to Meridian, MS where she continues work as a child psychiatrist. Henry had a particular fondness for classical music, books, photography (which he taught at a local community college), computers (which he repaired and gave to those in need), gourmet cooking, wood and metal working creating sophisticated objects of beauty and utility, and both making and restoring tools and furniture. He created many "toys" in his workshop and was concerned about what would happen to his basement shop treasures. But as one friend remarked, "The treasure in the basement is Henry." With his children, he inspired an appreciation for nature, as well as an ability to see beauty all around. He greatly enjoyed sharing his love of art and photography with others. Henry liked fishing, sailing, and cycling, and outdoor jaunts. His passion was for friendships, and for creating art with his hands, such as clocks and tables in both wood and metal as well as crafting musical instruments such as recorders, banjos and dulcimers. He was especially fond of his beloved Maine Coon cats, and relished time with his children and grandchildren as well as hosting family reunions with his siblings and their families. At Meridian's St. Paul's Episcopal Church, he served on the Vestry, enjoyed cooking Lenten breakfasts, mentoring young people, and study with the adult Education For Ministry program which he helped mentor for 12 years after his own graduation. He is survived by his wife, Rita K. Lum, M.D., of the home; his children, Henry J. Kratt, Jr. of Tallahassee, FL; Charlotte Kratt Dean, M.D. of Chevy Chase, MD and her husband Peter; John B. Kratt of Mooresville, NC and his wife Meredith; grandchildren Julian, Clara, and Jack Dean and Lucy and Ted Kratt; siblings Emil F. Kratt and wife Mary, Theodore J. Kratt and wife Cynthia, and Laura A. Kratt and husband George A. Elam, all of Charlotte, NC; and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1116 23rd Ave, Meridian, MS 39301, or the Soule' Live Steam Museum, P.O. Box 5031, Meridian, MS 39302.
