J. Harvey J. Kres

Sept. 3, 1927-Dec. 22, 2016

Former Homer resident Dr. J. Harvey J. Kres, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, of Cape Coral, Florida, died Dec. 22, 2016, at Hope Hospice, Cape Coral, Fla.

“He passed on to his eternal reward in Heaven,” his family said.

Dr. Kres was affectionately known as “Harv, Dad, or Grandpa” by his devoted wife of 39 years, Dorothy Kres of Cape Coral; his two surviving children, Dawn Storr of Magnolia, Del., and Jim Kress of Clinton, Iowa; his three surviving stepchildren, Melinda Beck, Nancy Ziegler and Travis Jolliff Sr.; 12 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren.

“He was adored by all of his family and friends because he lived a life of positive impact, care and compassion based on his strong belief in our Lord Jesus Christ,” his family said.

Harv was born to James and Laura Slais Kres in Chicago on Sept. 3, 1927. He grew up in Chicago, where he enjoyed playing hockey and baseball. In high school Harv was a member of the National Honor Society. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, received the World War II Victory Medal and was honorably discharged as a Seaman Second Class in June of 1946.

Dr. Kres graduated in 1948 from Monroe College of Optometry where he was a member of Kappa Phi Delta Honor Society. Upon graduation from Monroe, Dr. Kres practiced optometry in Riverside, Ill., and then became a successful stockbroker with Rodman and Renshaw in downtown Chicago. Later Dr. Kres established an optometry practice in Oak Brook, Ill. He was a long time donor and member of the Presidents Counsel of his beloved Moody Bible Institute.

In 1978, Dr. Kres and Dorothy (Dotty) Perkinson Kres were married in Knoxville, Tenn., and resided for the next 39 years in Wheaton, Ill., Cape Coral, Florida and Homer, Alaska, enjoying six months a year in Homer until 2012. They loved traveling the United States and the world together and Harv especially enjoyed boating, fishing and sharing the Gospel of Christ wherever he went.

Harv lived by his motto in life: “Just One Life / ’twill soon be past / Only what’s done / For Christ, will last.”

The family will hold a private family memorial service, and in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Dr. Harvey Kres to Dallas Seminary in Dallas, Texas.

Friends are invited to send condolences via the on-line guest book which can be found at MullinsMemorial.com. Funeral service were by Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, Fla.