Frank Joseph Kraft

Frank Joseph Kraft, age 91, of Dahlonega, Georgia, passed away on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, after a period of declining health. He was born on October 12, 1931, in Peoria, Illinois, to German immigrants, the late Joseph Kraft and the late Hedwig Kappas Kraft. The eldest of eight children, Frank was creative, curious, adventurous, and instilled with the desire to live the American dream and with the work ethic to achieve it.

Frank ventured out from home at age 17 to serve his country in the United States Air Force. He was trained as an electrical engineer while assisting in a radar unit. After his service, he pursued a career in the same field by obtaining a degree from Mississippi State University. After college, he moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, where he worked for over 20 years as a general manager at Florida Power and Light, overseeing projects, including building a nuclear power plant, among other facilities, all the while raising a family. Frank was a social individual, a natural leader, and raised to be a religious man, all of which contributed to being extremely involved in his community and the local Catholic church. Frank was director of the church choir, leading the hymns and often singing solo, a Boy Scout leader, achieving the level of an Eagle Scout himself, and organized numerous camping trips and outings for local youth.

Frank firmly believed his children should be engaged in worthwhile activities; therefore, much like his own upbringing, Frank taught his children to be independent, hardworking, and to imagine possibilities while using their talents to create and develop their ideas to the best of their abilities, never settling for mediocrity. His true entrepreneurial spirit led Frank to place a bid on property in the north Georgia mountains. After obtaining the 140 acres, he immediately challenged his oldest children to leave Florida, move to the hills, and simply create something worthwhile of which they could be proud. Living off the land having nothing more than handsaws, chainsaws, and a vision, in 1977, Forrest Hills Mountain Resort, a place "for rest," was the fruition of the family's dream. Frank went on to expand and manage the family business for nearly 30 years before retiring. During that time, he became known for his business acumen and became an active member in his adopted community of Dahlonega, as well as an important member of the Chamber of Commerce, and very instrumental in helping to grow the tourism industry in the area.

In addition to being a self-made entrepreneur, Frank was the consummate host. He never met a stranger and delighted in being the center of attention while entertaining guests with his sense of humor and regaling them with stories of his world travels, preferably over a great meal and a glass of good red wine! He had a keen eye and a gift for photography. In his retirement years, it was rare to see him without a camera in his hand, snapping photos of landscapes, wildlife, and interesting individuals he met along the way. He took tens of thousands of pictures in his lifetime, delighting in documenting his story as well as the people in it. Frank was also blessed with a philanthropist's heart, with many organizations and individuals benefiting from his generosity over the years.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his first wife, co-founder of Forrest Hills Resort and mother of his children, Darlene Daxenbichler Kraft, loving wife of 30 years, Joan Kasdorf Burnham Kraft, siblings Chuck Kraft, Bill Kraft, Ruth Kraft, and granddaughter Joanna Kraft.

He is survived by his children, Stephen Kraft, Denise Roberson, David Kraft (Deneen), and Michele Kraft-Deblois; stepchildren Joe Burnham, James Burnham (Kiki), Janet Davis (Greg), Johnny Burnham (Tammy), and Jeff Burnham; siblings Doris Snyder, Julie Shafer, Jim Kraft (Mary Sue), and Tom Kraft; grandchildren Ben Kraft, Caroline Foster (Micah), Major Jeffrey Kraft (Emily), Shawn Jacoby, and Brandon Deblois; numerous other relatives also survive, including great-grandchildren, step-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many friends.

The family would like to thank the staff at Manor Lake Assisted Living in Gainesville, GA, for their support and role in care taking of both Frank and Joan the past several years, and more recently, the nurses from Hospice Care.

Anyone who knew Frank Kraft would agree that it's very difficult to encapsulate the life of a true Renaissance Man in a brief eulogy. Frank had vast interests, extensive knowledge, and possessed varied talents and skills. He embraced individualism while celebrating the achievements of others. He appreciated home and family yet loved traveling the world. He learned from every failure to experience enormous success. Frank leaves behind a tremendous legacy that will forever speak for itself: a thriving family business still in operation; grown children, all successful; and numerous individuals who consider themselves fortunate to have had him in their lives and will continue to share and pass down his love for life, treasured stories, and of course, his photos. Frank was a man who wanted to live life to its fullest and die old, knowing he had experienced his best life and made a difference in this world. He would encourage all of us to do the same and to remember, "The goal is to die with memories, not dreams." Thank you, Frank (Dad), for the memories. You taught us well and will be missed and never forgotten. Have no fear, Frank; you will perfect your artwork; you have all eternity to do so… it may take it!

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 PM on Monday, February 6, 2023, in the Chapel of Anderson-Underwood Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, February 5, 2023, from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in memory of Frank to St. Luke the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, Dahlonega, or to your home congregation or charity of your choice.

To share a memory or a condolence with the family, visit Mr. Kraft's online guestbook at andersonunderwood.com.

Anderson-Underwood Funeral Home 2068 Highway 19 North Dahlonega, GA 30533