Frederick Carl "Freddie" Kraatz
Frederick Carl "Freddie" Kraatz of Clarksville, Virginia
March 19, 1950 - December 5, 2022
Frederick Carl (Freddie) Kraatz of 103 Stacey Court, Clarksville went Home to be with the Lord on Monday, December 5, 2022, at age 72, following a brief illness. Freddie was born on March 19, 1950, in Baltimore, MD, son of the late Robert Kraatz.
Over the course of his life, he worked in various areas of farming and construction that included building, carpentry, roofing and landscaping. Ever since he was a little boy, Freddie had always dreamed of building a village, and that dream came true when at the suggestion of his employer, Doug Branch, he used the skills he had acquired to make that dream become a reality. He completed the construction of the village in Appomattox that many people in surrounding areas have enjoyed for years.
Freddie loved to fish with his buddies, and when he retired in 2020, he and his wife, Linda, moved to Buggs Island Lake where he spent many enjoyable days. Freddie's door was always open, whether in Gladstone on the farm or on the lake at Stacey Court. The cast of characters coming through and the banter that followed would give any TV sitcom a run for their money.
Freddie's antics were legendary, and those who knew him have their own stories to tell. He said what he meant and meant what he said.
Freddie also was filled with compassion and was very grounded in his faith. He loved his church, Southside Baptist in South Boston, and his church family.
For four decades, Freddie poured his heart and soul into his work on Greenway Farm on the James River in Buckingham County, and all the people he worked with absolutely admired him, especially his beloved wife, Linda, who faithfully worked by his side for years. There truly wasn’t anything that Freddie couldn’t do, he was a genius. Freddie touched everybody’s lives, and he made it a point to make all those he encountered feel so important and special. He showed up when it mattered, had your back, gave to those in need, and would defend and stand up for his loved ones should the need for it arise.
He also had a special fondness for all his dog-walking pals, known as the Paw Patrol, who along with his best canine friend, Snukkie, will miss him greatly.
In addition to his father and mother, Mildred, Freddie was predeceased by his stepson, Michael Stinson.
He leaves behind daughter Carla Ongley of Appomattox and son Robert Kraatz of Jefferson City, TN, and sisters Pat Chandler and Belinda Mitchell. He also is survived by three grandchildren, Nathan Kraatz, Isabell Kraatz and Dylan Durand, as well as a great-grandson, Jesse Kraatz. There also are numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members who will miss him dearly.
Funeral services officiated by Rev. Don Bryant are being held for Freddie at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, at Robinson Funeral Home in Appomattox. Visitation will be held at 1 p.m., one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at the Bryant Family Cemetery in Wingina.
A memorial service for Freddie also will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17, at Southside Baptist Church, 2140 Alphonse Dairy Road in South Boston.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Southside Baptist Church, P. O. Box 315, South Boston, VA 24592.
Robinson Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family. An online condolence may be sent by visiting www.robinsonfuneral.com
