James Joseph Kraus

James Joseph Kraus, age 52, of Baytown, Texas, passed away on Monday, May 20, 2024 in Ingleside, Texas. He was born October 15, 1971 to James Kraus and Sheila Thompson Wenzel.

Joey enjoyed being around family and his grandchildren. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, grilling, riding his motorcycle and shopping with his wife. He cherished being with the love of his life Debra, and enjoyed having guy’s day out with his grand boys and buying them new toys. Joey was still young at heart because he enjoyed being on his phone and playing video games. Joey was a good debater and utilized google on many occasions. He was very passionate when Google helped him with an argument but was a bit quiet if Google did not. He was very dedicated to his career of crane and rigging at Bechtel. He was a man of the "hook".

He is survived by his wife, Debra Lynn Kraus; sons, Zachary Kraus, Jacob Kraus, Michael Sharp and wife Ashley, and Justin Sharp and wife Brittany; mother-in-law, Fran Nichols;  grandchildren, Reagan Sharp, Tucker Sharp, Maddox Sharp, Peyton Sharp, Aada Barry, Noey Barry, and Oakley Ann Sharp; brother-in-law, Shawn Ybarra and wife Connie, sister-in-law, Angelique Ybarra and her son, Ismael Orozco;  mother and step-father, Shelia Thompson Wenzel and husband Monroe ; sisters, Lynn Waitley and husband Guy and children, Will and Katherine Heath, and Angel Kraus and daughter, Savanna Tremlett; and his God children, Brayleigh, Easton, and Landon Warren.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Kraus, and his father-in-law, Larry Nichols.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, May 25, 2024 at the Erman Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Pittsburg with Bro. Perry Shirley officiating. Interment will follow in Crossroads Cemetery in Camp County. There will be a visitation held before the service beginning at 12:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

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