Kent Roberts Kraber

July 28, 1943 to December 8, 2022

Kent Kraber passed into the arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ, while on vacation in Lemon Grove, California, at the home of his son, Tom Kraber, on Thursday, December 8, 2022. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on July 28, 1943, the first of two sons born to George and Faith Kraber. But for a short period of time as a toddler in Panama, the majority of his life was spent in Southern California. He joined the El Cajon Fire Department in 1972 where he later retired after 24 years. While in the fire service, Kent also welcomed two children, Cherith and Tom, during the 1970's. He and his loving wife of 32 years, Barbara Kraber, were married in Southern California on June 16,1990. They have made their home in northern Idaho since 2013.

In addition to his fire service career, Kent was also an accomplished builder and artist. As newlyweds, Kent and Barbara moved into a beautiful hillside home that Kent designed and built. Over the span of 50 years he was acclaimed as an artist in a diverse range of media that included drawing, painting, pottery, leaded glass windows, boat building, and considerably more. Throughout the last many years of his artistic endeavors he was contracted by municipalities to create and install his extraordinary life-sized mixed metal art sculptures. An iconic example of his work, a spectacular seven-foot copper dragon, was prominently displayed in The Artisan Gallery – a highly regarded addition to the Priest River business community – featuring Kent's work along side more than 50 local artisans.

His love of God and strong commitment to sharing his faith was central in his life. He intentionally served Our Lord through service to others and lived out that commitment after retirement by offering his considerable talent and skill to anyone needing a helping hand.

Kent was loved and respected by all who knew him, and no more so than by those who survive him: his wife, Barbara; his daughter Cherith Kool; son Thomas Kraber; daughter-in-law Jennifer; and grandson Finn. In a conversation about growing old, a friend made a comment about Kent that he's never known anyone more excited to be going "home" to the Lord. God bless him.

A memorial service will be held:

Thursday, January 19 ^th , 2023

10:00 AM

"The Assembly" Church

1428 West First Street

Newport, WA  99156

Service will be "live streamed" on  the Real Life Newport  Facebook page and YouTube channel