Gary J. Kratz, 83, of Pittsburg, Kansas, passed away on Oct. 9, 2026, at Oakview Estates.

He was born on March 10, 1943, in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Bruno and Thelma (Keith) Kratz. Gary grew up in the area, attending local schools and graduating from Cherokee High School in Cherokee, Kansas. On May 14, 1966, he married Margaret Azamber, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Pittsburg Kansas.

Gary worked for Vern Plattner Motors and Pittsburg Ford from 1961 to 2019 as a car salesman and sales manager.

Gary was a member of the Knights of Columbus, a sports fan and outdoorsman. He loved to hunt, play golf, and watch the St. Louis Cardinals. He spent years coaching his sons' baseball teams, and his fondest memories were of his boys playing baseball.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret; his two sons, Gary M. (Sherry) and Greg; his four grandchildren, Austin (Chrysa), Amber, Emma, and Maggie; his former daughter-in-law, Stacy; his brother, Ed (Connie) Kratz; and his sister, Kathleen (Randy) Hall; and many nieces and nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert Baldwin.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Friday Oct. 16, 2026, at the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Pittsburg, KS with Fr. Michael Simone as Celebrant. Burial will follow at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Pittsburg, KS. Family will recite the rosary from 9:30 to 10 a.m. prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers the family asks expressions of sympathy to be in the form of memorials to the Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Fund. Friends may drop off or mail memorials to Bath-Naylor Funeral Home 522 S. Broadway Pittsburg, KS 66762. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. Arrangements and services are under the direction of Bath-Naylor Funeral Home Pittsburg, KS.