Mr. "Ray" Kratz

Rayburn Dean "Ray" Kratz, 68, passed away, on Saturday, July 20, 2013 at North MS Medical Center-Eupora. He was born April 29, 1945 in Eugene, Oregon to Carol Jean Kratz and the late Reverend James Kratz. Ray was a retired Supervisor in the canning department with Bryan Foods for 27 years, then later he operated Kratz Consulting, working in the canning production industry. He was of the Baptist faith. Ray served with the Clay County Sheriffs Auxiliary for eight years. He had commercial Pilot's license and was also a certified scuba diver. He enjoyed working in photography, taking photos and developing his own photos in his home darkroom. Ray loved to sing and had sung for weddings over the years. In later years he did consulting work as he set up meat canning equipment that he located and often reworked and installed for the various canning applications of his clients. He was a Veteran of the U. S. Air Force having served during Vietnam Era. Rayburn Dean "Ray" Kratz married Sandra Hurst Kratz March 4, 1972, Columbus, Mississippi. Funeral services will be Tuesday, July 23, 2013, 2:00 p.m. at Calvert Funeral Home Chapel with the Reverend Butch Simmons officiating. Burial will follow in Wake Forest Cemetery Mantee, MS. Calvert Funeral Home of West Point is in charge of arrangements. Survivors include his wife, Sandra Hurst Kratz of Mantee; two sons, Randy Huffman (Natosha) of Pontotoc, Mike Huffman (Dana) of Mantee; Ten grandchildren; Kayla Huffman, Jake Huffman, Blair Huffman, Madison Davis, Hunter Huffman, Allison Huffman, Lynzee Huffman, Jordan Jenkins, Bradley Dillard, and Hannah Dillard. Three great grandchildren; Kinsley Huffman, Caleigh Hawes and Karlie Hawes; his Mother Carol Jean Kratz of Oklahoma City, OK; two brothers, Mel Kratz of Savannah, GA, Eldon Kratz (Kay) of Los Angeles, CA. Pallbearers will be Lamar Dendy, Devin Hurst, Charles Peay, Sammy McNeel, Bilbo McNeel, Jr., and William Harold Stevenson. Honorary Pallbearers will be all his former co-workers at Bryan Foods, and all his cannery consulting friends Memorials may be made to Amerian Cancer Society, P. O. Box 8217, Jackson, MS 39284. Visitation will be Monday, 5:00 until 8:00 p. m. at Calvert Funeral Home

Mr. "Ray" Kratz

July 21, 2013