Nevada icon Joe Kraft dies

An icon of Nevada history has died. Joe Clinton Kraft, 87, businessman, civic leader and family patriarch died April 10, at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, Ark.

"He was a great father, husband and family man," Paula Kraft Neal, said Monday of her father.

"He loved Nevada and always wanted the best for Nevada today and in the future," Neal said.

Kraft graduated from Nevada High School in 1941, and like many young men of that time he soon faced service in World War II, where he served with distinction as an armor/gunner in the Army Air Force. He flew 43 missions as a staff sergeant with the 13th Air Force as a ball turret gunner on a B-24 in the South Pacific.

Kraft was awarded the Air Medal with two bronze stars, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one bronze star and six Battle Ribbons. He was also a member of one of the few air crews that flew two missions between the dropping of the first and second atomic bombs.

After the war ended, Kraft returned to school and graduated from the University of Kansas in 1948, taking a job in Oklahoma as an accountant with Stanolind Oil and Gas Co.

In 1950 and his wife Dorothy and their children returned to Nevada where he started work with the Kraft Mercantile Co., becoming president when his father died.

His contributions to the community are many, and span many years.

Kraft had a keen interest in the Nevada city government and in making it the best it could be. To that end he served on the Nevada City Council from 1956, when he was elected to fill an unexpired term, until 1963. He served as mayor pro-tem in 1957 and 1961 and as mayor in 1959.

In addition to serving on the council, Kraft was co-chair of the Nevada Charter Committee, which was responsible for developing Nevada's current form of government.

"Joe was really concerned about good government and he caused us all to examine and re-examine and reconsider issues," Bill McCaffree, Nevada's long-time city attorney, said.

"He made a meaningful contribution to good local government," McCaffree said.

Not all of Kraft's efforts to include his views of what good government were met with unanimity. On some occasions he found himself standing alone, undaunted, or with a small group of people facing a less-than-friendly city council to discuss some controversial issue. However, that never fazed Kraft if he felt he was right.

"There's nothing wrong with a little controversy -- it shows that we all care," McCaffree said. "He was a positive force and I liked him."

One of Kraft's passions was for economic development of Nevada. That led him to be involved in the city's various economic development commissions over the years. Even after he retired he remained active in economic development issues and helping people start new business.

"Joe was one of the old lions that were there when Nevada really started to blossom. Those were guys that made things happen. When you talk about movers and shakers, he was one.

And he loved Nevada. He'll be missed. We've got some good young talent we hope will grow into a Joe Kraft one day," said local businessman John Flynn.

While serving on those committees, Kraft helped to bring several new industries to town and worked on less successful campaigns as well. In latter years Kraft put his financial knowledge to work while serving on the city's revolving loan committee, which oversaw low interest loans to local businesses. The seed money for the loans came from a grant the city received for that purpose.

Barth Hinkle, a long-term friend of Kraft, said there were several people involved, but "Joe was probably the most instrumental in bringing 3M to Nevada. He led the effort." He'd coordinated a great effort, Hinkle said, when Nevadans flew to Jefferson City and picked up the governor, then flew to St. Paul, Minn., where Kraft made the presentation to the board of directors of 3M. "We think that was very effective. The result was that we landed the plant," Hinkle said, and the rest is history; Nevada's 3M plant is still active today.

"Joe was a leader. He was very astute in financial matters," Hinkle noted, reminiscing that former Nevada Daily Mail columnist Ken Postlethwaite, would suggest from time to time that the United States of America would do well to have Kraft as its president.

"He was a great friend. Joe was a leader and he gave good advice; and he spoke his opinion without hesitation. He will be missed," Hinkle said.

One of his ventures in helping startup businesses was along with Jeff Tweten, serving as mentors to prospective business owners in a FasTrac workshop from the Kaufman Foundation in the mid-'90s.

"He was a businessman's businessman," Tweten, said.

Among Kraft's many activities was his interest in the Bushwhacker Museum and Jail, from the 1960s "when (the Vernon County Historical Society) kind of reconstituted the museum." and wanted to buy the old jail. "He was very instrumental in that and served as president for many years, during that time," said Bushwhacker Museum Coordinator Terry Ramsey.

He also worked closely with the Moss Trust to help fund the purchase of the existing Bushwhacker Museum and helped to guide the process of expansion.

"I can honestly say I don't believe the museum would be where it is today if it were not for Joe Kraft. There have been many, many people who did things and have contributed ... but Joe was the lynchpin that held it together. He's just always been there and been willing to put forth the effort," Ramsey said.

In addition to helping the community at large, Kraft had an impact on at least one local youth.

"I looked up to him as a kid," Sam Foursha said, adding that he sometimes tried to tailor his actions to "meet the standards Joe set."

Foursha went on to a career in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a captain, and working for Nevada as the economic development director for several years. He recently spent several years in Iraq and Afghanistan helping with economic development in those countries.

Foursha said that he had known Kraft and his family since he was in kindergarten.

"He was a really good guy. I certainly looked up to Joe and I find it distressing that he has passed away," Foursha said. "He made great contributions to Nevada ... I'm not sure Nevada would be what it is today without Joe," he said.