Lt. Col. James "Jim" Kraft, 90, of Powder Springs, Georgia, and most recently Fairfax, Virginia, passed away April 9th peacefully, surrounded by family.

Born on February 1, 1935, in Berea, Ohio, Jim graduated from Strongsville High School in 1953, where he was honored as Outstanding Senior Athlete and later inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame. He went on to earn his degree from Ohio University in 1957, where he was a proud member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity and competed on the Varsity Track & Field team. That same year, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, beginning a distinguished 21-year career as an aviator and decorated veteran.

Jim completed Primary and Basic Pilot Training in 1959, followed by advanced survival training. In 1960, he received specialized instruction in Nuclear Weapons Delivery and Counterinsurgency Operations. He attended Squadron Officer School in 1963 and, prior to his Vietnam deployment, trained at Jungle Survival School. From 1968 to 1969, he served a combat tour in Vietnam.

After retiring from the Air Force in 1978 as a Lieutenant Colonel, Jim continued his professional career in procurement and contracts management until his retirement in 1994.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 19 years, Myrna; his son, Milton (Shelley); his grandsons, Alex and Nicholas; and his brother, Bob (Marie). He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Baxter, and his first wife, Jane.

A Memorial Service will take place at 1:00PM Friday September 26, 2025 from the Chapel of Darby Funeral Home with visitation beginning at 11:00AM until the funeral Hour. Inurnment into the Georgia National Cemetery will follow at 3:00PM. Bishop R. Glenn Rountree will officiate.

Jim will be remembered for his faithful service to his country, his love of flying, and above all, his devotion to family.

The Memorial Service will be live-streamed at:
https://vimeo.com/event/5406987

The staff of Darby Funeral Home is honored to serve the Kraft Family.