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Charles Otis “Boots” Kraatz

December 29, 1932 –
 March 14, 2022

Obituary

Charles Otis “Boots” Kraatz of Irving Texas, passed away March 14, 2022 marking the end of a long, successful, and joy filled life. Charles was born on December 29, 1932 to Ben and Bernice Kraatz of Rockdale Texas. After graduating from high school in 1950, he went on to enlist in the United States Army. During his enlistment Charles proudly achieved the rank of Sergeant and became a decorated combat veteran while serving in Korea. In addition to his combat assignments he was stationed in Germany, and State side locations. Upon completion of his military service, Charles returned to Milam County where on March 8, 1954 he married his high school sweetheart, Norma Jane Burgess of Milano Texas. Shortly after their marriage, Charles and Norma moved to Dallas where they began their family. There Charles began a long career with Braniff Airlines before ultimately working and retiring from Kroger in 1994. Having strong family values, Charles’ and Norma’s marriage produced four children, Mike, Gary, Sherry and Kimberly. While he relished spending time with family, Charles enjoyed an extremely active life. His interest and hobbies included growing vegetables in his garden, watching sports (especially teams from Texas A&M), fishing, and hunting, time at the casinos, and working jigsaw and crossword puzzles. Charles was preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years Norma Jane Burgess Kraatz, his daughter Kimberly Renee Kraatz Rodgers, two brothers, nine  sisters, and his parents. He is survived by two sons Mike Kraatz and wife Laura of Irving, Texas, Gary Kraatz and wife Vivian of Euless, Texas, daughter Sherry Toups and husband Tom of Little Elm, Texas, eight grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren and one sister, Lucille McCrummen.

Funeral Services will be held at John P. Brooks and Family Aria 1820 N. Beltline Rd, Irving, Texas 75061

Visitation: Monday April 4, 2022., at 6:00 – 8 pm Funeral Services Tuesday April 5, 2022., at 11:30 Burial: Tuesday April 5, 2022 Service will be held at DFW National Cemetery, located at 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway Dallas, TX, at 2:15 pm

    Debra Vega
    20 Mar 2022
    8:46am

    OUR PRAYERS AND LOVE GO OUT TO THE ENTIRE KRAATZ FAMILY!!!!!!!

    Fred Preston
    20 Mar 2022
    9:09am

    He was a gentle, quiet man who i admired. He was a great dad, husband, and good friend. We will miss his undying A&M spirit.

    Troy Woodley
    20 Mar 2022
    5:39pm

    Uncle Boots, first just let me say you had the coolest nickname. I grew up loving your family and looked forward to family reunions. You were always so soft spoken and showed a gentle soul. I adored your sweet wife and your beautiful daughters. Your sons were older and we really did share many interests, but they were all great kids and you should go to your resting place knowing you were a good husband and father, brother, friend.
    I can only imagine the reunion you are celebrating now with your loved ones that have gone before you. I look forward to that special time when my life is through here too. Thank you for being a small part of my life.

    MIKE KRAATZ
    20 Mar 2022
    11:22pm

    Thank you Debbie

    MIKE KRAATZ
    20 Mar 2022
    11:23pm

    Thank you Freddie

    Sandra Petty
    21 Mar 2022
    10:47am

    So sorry for your loss Mike. Jim and I are thinking of you and your family.

    21 Mar 2022
    10:59am

    Thank you Troy, so sweet ❤️

    Clayton Bo Benoit
    21 Mar 2022
    11:24am

    We’ll miss you Uncle Boots! So many great memories of you and Aunt Norma. I pray that you both rest peacefully in Heaven while watching down on us all. Sherry and family my condolences to everyone. Let’s rise to the occasion during this celebration of life.

    Danny & Kathleen Facio
    21 Mar 2022
    12:34pm

    Our condolences and prayers go out to the Kraatz family.

    Gary Kraatz
    21 Mar 2022
    1:18pm

    Thanks Danny & Karhleen

    Louise Kimbrow.
    21 Mar 2022
    2:58pm

    So sorry to hear this.You and Vivian both losing your dad so close together.May God comfort you and family. Love to all. Louise (Pug) KimbrLouiseow, and family.

    MIKE KRAATZ
    22 Mar 2022
    12:19pm

    Thank you Troy for those kind words.

    MIKE KRAATZ
    22 Mar 2022
    12:21pm

    Thank you Sandy

    MIKE KRAATZ
    22 Mar 2022
    12:24pm

    Thank you Bo for your kind words.

    Vivian
    23 Mar 2022
    1:33am

    Thank you Aunt Pug❤

    23 Mar 2022
    3:24pm

    Wasn’t around the family much but enjoyed being with u all

    Jennifer Mueller
    31 Mar 2022
    12:52pm

    Our prayers and condolences to the Kraatz family. Boots and Norma will be greatly missed. They were the best neighbors to have. They lived straight across the street from us. We’re going to miss them greatly. So sad of hearing of their passing. May God continue to watch over family.

    Sherry
    1 Apr 2022
    3:57pm

    Thank you so much for your kind words. My Mom spoke of you and felt the same about having good neighbors.

    Bubba joe
    1 Nov 2022
    2:33pm

    I didn’t know I could comment or I would have papa.
    I love in miss you soon I’m coming for a visit. I just want you to know I miss you please give my mom a hug. I write this as I believe in my life you get this in heaven.

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"Excellent customer service, they made you feel like you were their only customer. Very helpful and explained what we should expect during the process. They basically took care of our needs during this time. They contacted DFW National Cemetery for us which made it a smooth experience. Definitely will use them again."
K. Barker
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"I was amazed how professional the team at Aria Funeral Preston Dallas Texas are. They guided me through the process and my options of their services that they offered for my mother. They are compassionate, caring, calm, good listener, efficient and did an excellent job! Thank you!"
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"If I could give 6 stars I would. Aria made a difficult easier to deal with by basically taking care of everything in an efficient but very empathetic manner. I can speak highly enough of Dusty Martin, who helped us with all of the planning and logistics. He was incredibly understanding and helpful."
Angel M.
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"Nothing prepares you for the grief you go through when losing a child. I called this funeral home at 2:00 am broken and could barely talk. The amount of compassion and empathy they showed me immediately let me know I found the right place to cremate my son. I cannot thank them enough for their professionalism, SINCERE concern, and commitment to making sure my son was honored in the most respectful way. I hope this Funeral home values her as much as my family and I do."
McGee Family
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"Wayne and Staff, thank you for taking care of the arrangements for our mom, Exter McGee and our dad, Philip McGee. You have been great to work with during such a difficult time."
Elledge Family
Elledge Family
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"On behalf of my family, I wanted you to know how much we appreciate your handling of my husband's final arrangements. Wayne Baxter assisted & guided us through the entire process with such care & compassion. Don't know what we would have done without him! Sincerely, Colleen Elledge"
The Peterson Family
The Peterson FamilyYelp! Review - Northwest Highway 5-Stars
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"I can’t say enough about how helpful and professional Dusty Martin, the funeral director at the Aria Cremation location on NW Highway has been. From my initial call, he was kind and informative. My friend died at home while on hospice and she was picked up in about an hour after receiving the call from the hospice nurse. The person who arrived to pick her up was also very professional/respectful and allowed us to take as much time with her as we wished. When I met with Dusty the next day about arrangements, he explained the process and options available without being pushy or trying to “sell” extras. Throughout the process, he kept me informed and, for example, was careful to be certain I understood the cost of the obituary I wanted and offered some options for reducing that cost if I wished. When I stopped by for another reason and started talking about some of the problems I was having with the pictures and media I hoped to use at a memorial lunch I was planning, he not only listened patiently but offered technology advice and let me use his personal media player. I have had experience arranging cremations for four others using two other local companies, and this experience with Dusty at Aria has been by far the best one I have had."
Paula Barnes
Paula BarnesGoogle Review
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"My Daddy’s service and our family experience at Aria Northwest Highway was truly blessed. Funeral Director Dustin Martin is the kind of person that you would like to see on a more regular basis – but in his industry – you hope to not see him that often. That being said – THANK YOU DUSTIN for your unending kindness, compassion and friendship through the process. Meeting you and discussing Dallas History, Find A Grave and my Dad’s lifelong contributions to the great City of Dallas was simply wonderful! In memory of my dad James A. Dodd, Sr. – I want to personally thank you and let you know that you made everything better in that moment. Your calling to “Be There” is spot on. Aria has a one in a million guy in you! Bling Blinky of TEXAS Shout Out: God Bless You!!"
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