The world has lost a great man. Charles Bernard Kropp Jr., 83, passed away at 5 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010, in Las Vegas. He was born March 31, 1926, in Louisville, Ky., to Charles Bernard Krapp Sr. and Ethel (VanBuskirk) Krapp, both of Louisville. He joined the U.S. Army and served his country well during World War II in the Pacific Campaign. He was one of many soldiers that were sent as part of the first ground invasion of the island of Japan. After the war, Charlie returned home and married his wife, of 42 years, Jewell Marie (Smith) Thompson of Glascow, Ky., Dec. 18, 1947, in Shelbyville, Ky. They moved to California, where they raised their two children, Joseph and Patricia. Charlie and his wife owned and operated a pastry and donut shop together in California for many years. He loved to create new recipes and bake desserts - a love that would continue for the rest of his life. After they sold the pastry shop, Charlie began driving a truck all over the country. He also worked as a mechanical engineer for a dairy plant. When his wife became ill in 1984, they moved to Las Vegas for the weather. He worked as an engineer in several hotels on the Strip. Charlie lived his life with the strong values and work ethic that exemplified those great virtues held by those who lived during "The Greatest Generation." A man who always worked hard to support his family, he retired in 1991 and spent most of his time at the Moose Lodge and baking desserts for friends and family. He loved to travel the country, fish, camp and to work on projects around the house. He taught his family so much. He lived his life with solid moral values. His word was his bond, a quality he passed on to his family. A man that lived life his way and also left life his way, with family by his side. His last thoughts were of his wife and great-grandson, born the next day. "Papaw, thanks for the dance. We wouldn't have missed it for the world." Charlie is loved and missed by many. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Sherry Povey; and his wife. Charlie is survived by his sisters, Eileen Kropp and Armeda Meffert; son, Joe Kropp; daughter, Pat Miller; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He will be put to rest next to his wife at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, at Palm Valley View Memorial Park, 7600 S. Eastern Ave.

Published in Las Vegas Review-Journal on January 20, 2010.