Jonathan Martin Kraus
October 28, 2016
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Jon Kraus had an abiding love for family, a knack for bringing beauty into the world, a passion for seeing that people were treated fairly and a gift for energizing a room with his laughter. Following Jon's death on Friday, October 28, 2016, we have come to treasure these gifts even more.
He valued the love of his immediate family: brother and best friend Matt Kraus; father, Lew Kraus and mother, Twila Martin, and their respective spouses Joan Cooper and Richard Rhea; step-brother Scott Fallen; step-sister, Kathryn Cox and spouse Wes Cox.
Jon's artistic talents found expression in many ways. He not only loved playing keyboard or guitar but also, as a sound engineer, made beats to enrich the music of others. He had a unique ability to craft beauty on a blank piece of paper. His skill might best be seen as he turned a rough block of wood until a beautiful bowl emerged.
Injustices in life, for Jon, had to be challenged. He was an advocate for those who were wronged or folks who experienced the impact of a disability. His passion for making things right took a personal turn with the rescue of his dog Charlie, with whom he became inseparable.
We grieve deeply as a family as our beloved Jon is gone too soon.
A casual celebration of Jon's life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at Claxton Farm, 288 Upper Flat Creek Road, Weaverville.
Gifts in memory of Jon may be made to Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 8195, Asheville, NC 28814 or online at www.bwar.org.
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian on Long Shoals Road is assisting the family.
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I will always remember the laugh of Jon Kraus. His smile and energy were amazing. May he rest in peace and be free from pain forever more. He will be greatly missed. My prayers go out to his family. God Bess you all.
I am so sorry for your loss. I have heard so many wonderful stories of Jon from Freda and Alex. I feel for the tremendous hole that is left in your family. I pray that God brings you comfort and peace in the times to come.
My family would like to send sincere condolences to the Kraus family for the loss of your dear loved one. May you find comfort and hope from the Bible promise at Isaiah 25:8. Pray constantly, avoid isolation, and lean on God as you cope during this most difficult time.
Lew, So sorry to hear of your loss. A parent should never have have to lose a child. Thinking of you my friend.
Twila, Lew and Matt, I grieve with you the loss of your son and brother, Jon and with you remember his life and give thanks for all that was and pray that you will know God’s presence and comfort.
with love, Ellen
My sympathy to the family. Rest in peace, beautiful young man!
Twila, my heart grieves for your loss. I will lift you and your family in prayer as you move through these days without your loved one. May you find peace and comfort in the support of your family, friends and faith.
Twila, Dick, Matt, Lew and Family,
I am so very sorry for you deep loss…….
Words are so inadequate at a time like this. This makes the fourth young adult just in the past month whom I know who has died…….
My prayers are with you and I pray that God will give you his comfort and strength you need to face the days, weeks, and months ahead……
Shocked and saddened, truly, to read this. Our prayers are with you all. We will celebrate his life and remember his smile!!! May God bring you some comfort and peace.
Jon was one of a kind! Truly an amazing friend with an unforgettable smile and laugh! He will be missed! Thinking of you and your sweet family!
Jon was the bright spot at Habitat. He was always cheerful and remembered me. He was helpful and assisted me in many ways. His bowls were beautiful and an expression of talent and dedication. He is missed and my prayers and thoughts are with the family. The world is a better place because Jon Kraus was here!!!!
My deepest sympathies to the Kraus family. I’m so sorry for your loss. Not just any words will help ease your pain during this trying time of loss. My heart truly goes out to you. God’s promises provide us comfort and a beautiful hope for the future. Isaiah 25:8 says, ‘He will swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will wipe away the tears from all faces…For Jehovah himself has spoken it.’ Knowing too that God has locked your dear loved one in his loving memory, and yearns to resurrect them is a comforting thought. (John 5:28,29; Job 14:14,15) My prayers are with you at this time.
My words are totally inadequate to share or understand your loss. Know that the love of all those around you is the way we will support your family through the shock and adjustment to the loss of a life too soon!
Such sorrow in hearing of Jon’s passing. I have fond memories of childhood classes with him and the joy and laughter he brought daily. Much love to you all…
Dear, dear , dear Twila. My heart bleeds for you but is full of prayer for you and your loved ones as you go through this heartache. My continued prayers are fGod to give you strength, courage and peace so you can experience love, kindness and comfort from your family and friends as you celebrate beautiful Jonathon. I, too, am an animal lover and have been privileged to experience and cherish in adversity what your son held so dear. How beautiful that his commitment and advocacy have enriched the lives of others and…continues to do so! My love, Deb Bumbaugh
My sincere condolences to the family. The loss of a loved one grieves the heart and words are never enough to take away the pain. However, our Heavenly Father knows your grief. As a loving and caring Father, He will be there to comfort and sooth your ‘broken-heart and crushed spirit’. ( Psalm 34:18 ). May you find comfort and hope in God’s promise of a day when you will reunite with your loved one again. ( Isaiah 26:19 ).
My sincerest thoughts and prayers are with Jon’s family. He was always the laughter in a dire situation and in more than a few occurances while we were in school, he was a voice if reasoning for me! My hearts so heavy right now. Rest easy sweetie
To Lew, Joan, and Jon’s remaining family members,
We offer our heartfelt condolences to you upon your loss. Jon surely was a ‘breath of fresh air’ and an ever-present smile for anyone entering or leaving the ReStore. He will surely be missed by his AAHH family, and of course, greatly by you.
Know that we are holding you in our hearts, and our prayers are for your Peace now and in the days ahead.
Jon was a sweetheart to Ronnie and Belinda at Habitat. We loved seeing his smiling face always friendly. A very joy to know. you will be missed RIP Jon
Joan and Lew, I am so sorry for your loss. I loved getting to know Jonathan last year working with him at the Greens Market for the French Broad River Garden Club. Despite all, he always tried to be upbeat and use his talents. I admired him a great deal.
Love,
Gay
We stop by Habitat regularly, and we’ve come to look forward to our chats with Jon. When we went by last week and a fellow shopper told us they were closed due to a funeral, my husband and I both thought first of Jon, but didn’t seriously think it could have been him. What a sad shock today to learn that it was. It seems odd to say we thought of Jon as a friend, but he was just that kind of a person, and we did. We are so sorry for your loss, and feel a little of that loss personally. We will truly miss our weekly banter; the world has lost a bit of sunshine. We will make a contribution to Brother Wolf (an amazing organization) in memory of Jon, and will remember him always. If there’s a possibility that we could purchase one of his bowls, please contact us.
During a renovation project, we met Jon during our frequent visits to Habitat. He was always cheerful and after a few visits remembered us. During one visit he was sanding one of his bowls and my husband started talking to him about turning bowls — a love of my husband and they had a lovely conversation about this shared talent. I stopped by Habitat today (July 22) and saw the poster about the Habitat house in Arden and street named after him and learned of his passing. What a great tribute to a great young man. Our condolences to the family.