Mr. John Lyle Krakauer
  • MEMORIAL GIFTS MAY BE MADE TO THE FOLLOWING:
  • St. Jude's Ranch for Children
    100 St. Jude's St. P.O. Box 60100
    Boulder City, NV 89006-0100
  • MEMORIAL GIFTS MAY BE MADE TO THE FOLLOWING:
  • Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory
    P.O. Box 519
    Crested Butte, CO 81224

Share This Obituary
Message from the Family

Thank you for your support during this difficult time. Please enhance this tribute to John by adding your memories and photos.

Send Flowers
flowers logo


Memories & Candles

“I was blessed to meet John in late 2010 when he began to inquire about our non-profit and what we did for the children of Las Vegas. He was a very...Read More »
1 of 8 | Posted by: Lisa Habighorst - Las Vegas, NV

“I had the pleasure of working with John over the past 10 years on his philanthropic vision. The hallmarks of John's vision--nonprofits that were...Read More »
2 of 8 | Posted by: Stacey Wedding - Henderson, NV

“I first met John in 2004 when he needed some help getting the most of of his and Carol's Macintosh computers. Over the years I've helped him with...Read More »
3 of 8 | Posted by: Geoffrey Stormzand - Las Vegas, NE

“I will miss John greatly! He was my elyddest cousin. We had many talks when he was well and in his ups and downs with his health and family health...Read More »
4 of 8 | Posted by: Wendy Dysert - Hudson, OH

“It was a pleasure to know and to work with John and Carol during their time in Summit County. John was a great friend and we kept in touch through...Read More »
5 of 8 | Posted by: Nancy and Bob Follet - Keystone, CO

“John and I served on the Plato board for many years. I was always impressed by his common sense and ability to work with everyone on the board. We...Read More »
6 of 8 | Posted by: jack borsting - Palm Desert, CA

yoga retreat in montezuma, costa rica 2011: anamaya resort 
“it was an honour to have john as a part of our group. he reminded us that life is a gift, to cherish every moment, to never stop following your...Read More »
7 of 8 | Posted by: Lisa Messina - toronto

“John was a wonderful mentor. He was a kind man and an awesome business man. His spirit will be truly missed. ”
8 of 8 | Posted by: Marty DuBois - Hickory Hills, IL


View Video Tribute

John L. Krakauer, age 71 passed away on March 4, 2013 at Scripps Medical Center, La Jolla, Ca. John was born in Boston, Erie County, New York to Hans Siegfried Krakauer and Elizabeth Gottschalk. He earned a BA in Economics from Cornell University in 1962. He and his late wife Carol Johnson had two children, the late Keith Lyle and Laura Louise (Aigeldinger) of Moose Pass, AK. He was recently blessed with twin grandchildren, Orion John and Madeline Jean, born August 1, 2012.

After graduation he served two years in the U. S. Army Quartermaster Corps in Germany. His successful career in business lead him to become very successful in the field of medical insurance coverage including becoming CEO of HealthCare Compare in Downers Grove, Il. After retirement when he moved to Summit County, CO.

In 2001 he moved to Las Vegas, NV to be closer to Carol's family. In Las Vegas he became an avid duplicate bridge player earning his Life Masters. He was a dedicated Rotarian where his leadership of programs for disadvantaged students earned him Rotarian of the Year. Other organizations that benefited from John's philanthropic outreach included the Summit Foundation, Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Kideract at the Booker Elementary School, Las Vegas and St. Jude's Ranch for Children. He moved to La Jolla in 2012, and enjoyed the rich wildlife in the park adjacent to his condominium.

John was the oldest of 15 cousins and shared a deep love of family. During his Colorado years he enjoyed hosting his cousins and their families for skiing vacations at his home. Cousin, Donald Godshaw sums things up in the following quote.
As a kid I was amazed by his size and the things he could do as he was always our overachiever eldest cousin. He was a soft-spoken, highly intelligent, modest individual, a real role model for all of us. I know life was not always a bowl of cherries for my cousin John, but always made the best of it.
I have many fond memories of the Boston Hills and our Colorado ski trips…Those memories are forever imprinted on our minds and John's spirit will be alive until all of us leave this earth.

MEMORIAL SERVICE: Services will be held on Saturday March 9, 2013 at 1PM PST at the El Camino Mortuary, 5600 Carroll Canyon Road, San Diego, CA. PHONE IN: The web and phone conference for those who cannot attend in person is:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/join/458577264
Conference Call #: 1-888-363-4734 Access Code: 3471042
Meeting ID: 458-577-264