Father of Carol ’70 and Elizabeth ’77 Kranz passed away

Thomas J. Kranz(1925 – 2016)

(News story) Thomas J. Kranz, whose diligence and success as an agent for the former Equitable of Iowa Insurance Co. were consistently recognized by his industry, died Monday in Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Perrysburg Township. He was 90.

He had some health problems, his son Tim said.

Mr. Kranz, a resident of Sylvania, worked until about 15 years ago.

“He had a wonderful business sense and the wherewithal to stay in business for that many years, the ability to communicate and work with the clients,” his daughter Betsy said.

Early in his career, in 1962, Mr. Kranz was named Equitable of Iowa’s outstanding man of the year in the country. In the 1980s, he received Equitable of Iowa’s Hall of Honor.

“This was the highest honor that the Equitable could give,” his son said. “They only give it to a person once in a lifetime.”

A chartered life underwriter, he was a life member of the Million Dollar Round Table and was a member of Court of the Table, insurance industry designations. In addition, he worked many 70-hour weeks, his son said.

“He took a lot of pride in knowing he was excelling at his trade and helping people at the same time and also providing a good living for his family,” his son said.

They were partners for a time in Kranz and Kranz insurance brokers.

After returning from Marine Corps service in the Pacific Theater, Mr. Kranz was a draftsman and sold supplies for Toledo Blue Print & Paper Co.

“He saw the opportunity for making more money in the insurance business, because the family was getting bigger and bigger,” his son said.

Mr. Kranz was born April 4, 1925, to Marguerite and Ben Kranz and grew up in South Toledo. He was a 1942 graduate of Central Catholic High School.

Communications was his duty in the Marines, which meant that he drew enemy fire while trying to put up phone lines.

He received a Bronze Star for valor shown during the battle for Sugar Loaf Hill on Okinawa. He also saw action on Iwo Jima and took part in the liberation of Guam.

“It was very difficult for him to talk about it,” his son Tim said. Nearly a decade ago, he and other veterans went to battle sites in the Pacific Theater for a documentary about the war and their part in it.

Mr. Kranz grew up in Immaculate Conception Parish, and was a member through the years of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Ann and, most recently, Corpus Christi University Parish.

He visited the ill and homebound and also was a volunteer with the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

“He was very service-minded,” his son said.

His youngest son, Ted, died June 5, 2010, in the tornado that tore through Wood County’s Lake Township. The elder Mr. Kranz was formerly married to the late Mary E. “Betty” Kranz.

Surviving are his wife, Betty J. Kranz; sons, Thomas J., Jr., Tim, and Terry Kranz; daughters, Cathy Fulton-Dzienny, Bonnie Yamano, Carol Potter, and Betsy Villarreal; stepdaughter, Mindy Nottage; stepson, Russ Wumer; sister, Agnes Hollister; 22 grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren, and four step-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Thursday in Coyle Funeral Home, with a recitation of the Rosary at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Corpus Christi University Parish.

The family suggests tributes to Hospice of Northwest Ohio.

This is a news story written by Mark Zaborney. Contact him at mzaborney@theblade.com or 419-724-6182.

Funeral Home

Coyle Funeral Home
1770 S Reynolds Rd Toledo, OH 43614
(419) 865-1295

Published in Toledo Blade on Mar. 16, 2016