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Aug 8, 1948 - Jul 22, 2004
"Enough work to do, and strength enough to do it" Claremont High, Class of '66 Our beloved husband, father, brother, son, and friend, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 22, 2004. Mike passed away at home with his wife and son at his side and loving fare-thee-well's from friends and family just heavenly moments before. He was born August 8, 1948, in Long Beach, California and lived in Lomita until 1955. He and his family resided in Texas until 1957.
When Mike was nine years old, they moved to Claremont where Mike established many life-long great friendships. Growing up, he belonged to the Claremont Kingdom Hall. Mike was on the track team in High School and was nicknamed "The Stork" after his long thin legs. This nickname followed him throughout his life and became his CB handle on the road, with family "in-tow", to his favorite campgrounds.
Mike married Monica Avila (CHS 1967) in 1968. He remarried in 1974, Laurie Smithen, who became his life long companion. He was an Auto Repair Technician at Fair City Ford and Citrus Motors before acquiring his own service station business, City 76, (Euclid and E St. Ont.) in 1986, where he insisted on maintaining an old-fashioned full-service gas station despite the oil company's trend for automated systems. He had a reputation for his patience in fixing vehicles that were nightmares for other service techs. He became a territory representative for Alldata (automotive repair software Co.) in 2001. Mike was an assistant coach and Sponsor (Upland Little League and Pony League) and an assistant Boy Scout leader. He also assisted local high school's auto-shop programs. Though an avid Dodger fan and super-bowl party host, Mike's greatest passion was being on the water and boating. Whether it be from the fan tail spray of his water ski jumping over a wake on the "river", to guiding the tiller of his sailboat seeking the wind in his sails, to catching that big fish, to restoring cars, Mike sought out challenges, overcame them, and thus his joys in life prevailed. He always shared his joys and lent his "fix it" hands to friends and family, as they were his heartfelt priority.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 30 years, Laurie; his son, Jesse of Upland; his daughter and son-in-law and granddaughter, Cari, Brian, and Leilani Baldwin of Redlands; his daughter and son-in-law, Faye and Ty Visconti of Upland; his mother, Pauline Kraybill of Oregon; his sister, Loretta (Sue) Stone of Oregon; and his brother, William (Bill) Kraybill of Ontario. He was preceded in death by his father, Jesse L. Kraybill. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to "The Robert and Beverly Lewis Family Cancer Care Center" 1910 Royalty Dr., Pomona, CA. 91767 or the "American Cancer Society" 1240 Palmyrita Ave., Suite A, Riverside, Ca 92507. (A notation: "in honor of Mike Kraybrill" is truly appreciated by Mike's family.)
Celebration of life service will be held Sunday, August 1, Todd Memorial Chapel, 325 N. Indian Hill Blvd., in Claremont, at 3 p.m. Todd Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
~ Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
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