Duane Eldon Kratzer

Published in the Free Press from 7/3/2008 - 7/6/2008.

KINSTON - Duane Eldon Kratzer, Sr., 93, of Kinston, died on July 1, 2008. Mr. Kratzer was born in Thayer, Nebraska in 1914 and was preceded in death by his parents, Oren De Kratzer and Mildred Price Kratzer.

He attended Kansas State University on a baseball scholarship and then began a career in professional baseball. In 1935 Mr. Kratzer won the Minor League Rookie Batting Championship, batting 397. He then came to Kinston with the then Kinston Eagles club, meeting his beloved wife Faye Tilghman, with whom he was married for over 50 years, preceding him in death in 1996.

After serving his country in the Navy in Guam and Hawaii in World War II, he returned to Kinston to work with Kinston Auto Parts for over 40 years. He was a charter member of Falling Creek Country Club, coached Little League baseball, and loved following his adopted NC State Wolfpack.

He is survived by his two sons, Dr. Duane E. Kratzer, Jr. of Round Rock, Texas and wife Maureen, and Dr. Carroll D. Kratzer, of Kinston and wife Adrienne; four grandchildren, Lindsay Noles of Roper, N.C., Ryan Kratzer of Kinston, Kathryn Kratzer of Greensboro, Cole Kratzer of Kin-ston; and two great-grandchildren, Wes and Ellie Noles, of Roper, N.C.

The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Sunday, July 6, 2008, at Howard-Carter Funeral Home. Grave-side services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 7, 2008, at Pinelawn Memorial Park with the Reverend Allen Bingham officiating of Queen Street United Methodist Church where he and his wife were longtime members.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Queen Street UMC, 500 Queen Street, Kinston, NC 28501, Building Fund in honor of Duane and Faye Kratzer. Funeral arrangements by Howard-Carter Funeral Home. Sign the guest book at www.kinston.com.