Thomas Orval Kraner

Thomas Orval Kraner of Cheyenne, Wyoming, passed away at home on September 6, 2023, at the age of 89. Thomas was born November 6, 1933, in Columbus, Ohio. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joy. Their children are Thomas (Hannah Kirkbride) Kraner and Jane (Todd) Ehardt of Cheyenne Wyoming. Thomas has 3 grandchildren, Andrew (Samantha) Ehardt, Max and Nannette Kirkbride Kraner, and one great-granddaughter, Sloane Joy Ehardt. He is also survived by one brother, Richard Kraner of Bradenton, Florida, a cousin, Sue (Bob) Mohler of The Villages, Florida, a dear niece, Lorri (Wayne) Welsh and their children Ben (Anna) Welsh, and Hannah (Kyle) Stefancin.  In addition, Thomas  leaves behind treasured friends, Jack and Kathy Sipe.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents and a infant sister.

Thomas is a graduate of The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. He received a Bachelor's of Science degree in 1955 (Geology), a Bachelor's of Science degree in 1959 (Education: Biology and Psychology), and a Master's Degree in 1966 (Guidance and Counseling). In the summer of 1967 Thomas attended the NSF Institute at the University of California, Berkeley. In the summer of 1970 he attended the NSF Institute at the University of Wyoming.

Thomas served in the United States Army from 1955 until 1957. He was stationed at Ft Bliss, Texas, where he was an instructor in a school for the Corporal Guided Missile.

Thomas was a teacher and administrator in Columbus Public Schools from 1960 until 1974. In 1974, drawn by the beauty of Wyoming and Grand Teton National Park, Thomas and Joy moved to Cheyenne where Thomas worked as a Program Evaluator for the Wyoming Department of Education. In 1982, he accepted a position as the Curriculum Coordinator K-12 (Science and Outdoor Education) with Laramie County School District #1. After he retired in 1997, he volunteered as a science fair judge and HOST tutor (Baggs Elementary), and for the YMCA  Retreat of the Rockies.  In 2004 LCSD#1 and LCCC designated land and facility west of Cheyenne as the Thomas O. Kraner Outdoor Education Center. 

Thomas was a member of Phi Delta Kappa-Cheyenne, Wyoming Chapter # 1136, and the National Science Teachers Association. Thomas was a devout Christian who served the local Church as a Sunday school teacher, Bible study leader, and elder. There will be a service at Cheyenne Evangelical Free Church in October.

Internment took place at Cheyenne National Cemetery on September 8th 2023.