IRWIN KRAUSS

Irwin Charles Krauss, a loving, devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend, died peacefully Monday afternoon, Aug. 27, 2012, at his home early in his 84th year. Service: 11 a.m. Thursday in the sanctuary at Beth-El Congregation, 4900 Briarhaven Road, with Rabbi Ralph Mecklenburger officiating. Following committal prayers, he will be laid to rest next to his wife, Selma, in the Beth-El Section at Greenwood Memorial Park. Bearers of his casket will be his grandchildren, Joshua Bushner, Sarah Bushner Goldshtrom, David Krauss, Danielle Lehrman, Ben Lehrman and Jacob Fuld. Honorary bearers will be Marshall Amis, Doug Cook, Fred DeJesus, Diego Garcia, William "Mack" Lawhon and Martin Siegel. Shiva will be held Thursday at the home of Julie and Daniel "Red" Goldstein with minyan beginning at 5:30 p.m. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, consideration of contributions to Beth-El Congregation, VITAS Hospice or the American Cancer Society, in his memory, is suggested. Born July 16, 1928, in Forest Hills, N.Y., Irwin was the son of Max and Leah Alish. He graduated from Cheshire Academy in 1945 and attended the University of Wisconsin. In a botany class, he met Selma Honigfeld; she became his wife of 49 years before her death in 1998. After they graduated and married they moved to Texas to begin their lives together. In 1952, Irwin, along with two associates, formed Wedgwood Enterprises and developed the section of Fort Worth known as Wedgwood. It always made him smile to be reminded that as a young man he was responsible for naming all the streets in Wedgwood to begin with a "W" until the fire department begged him to stop. He branched out into banking by becoming one of the organizing directors of Southwest National Bank. Between 1961 and 1993, his Puerto Rican-based company completed over 5,000 homes in Puerto Rico. He continued to work up until this summer as an investor in commercial and apartment development. Irwin's professional career was challenging, successful and he loved his work, but his most special gifts were reserved for his role as a husband, companion to Sari, father, grandfather, friend and mentor. He loved outdoor activity and sports. All his kids and grandkids have enjoyed fishing, swimming, hiking, tennis and golf with him. With peers he was extremely competitive but with family it was all just fun. He spent summers enjoying his home in Lake Tahoe where he invited family and many friends to join him. During the last 13 years of his life, after the death of his wife, Selma, Irwin's constant, dearly loved companion has been Sari Bahl. She has shared his love of travel. Every trip included an "Irwin level" crash course in the history, culture and geography of where they visited. He also became a surrogate father and grandfather to Sari's three children and seven grandchildren. One of his proudest accomplishments was overseeing the design and construction of Beth-El Congregation's new building in Fort Worth where he and Selma were devoted lifelong members. The many people whose lives were touched by Irwin knew him to be a person of remarkable wisdom and compassion. His son-in-law, Mark Lehrman, summed it up very well when he said, "Irwin was a role model in our families and careers. We watched and learned the way he interacted with his children and conducted himself in his business with the highest integrity." Every day we had him with us was a blessing. To his many dear friends, he deeply valued your friendship and loved you dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Selma; and his sister, Gloria Waldman. Survivors: In addition to his beloved Sari Bahl, Irwin is survived by his children, Barbara Bushner and her husband, Larry, of Arlington, Michael Krauss and his wife, Sharon Beckett, of Portland, Ore., Tricia Krauss Lehrman and her husband, Mark, of Dallas and Julie Krauss Goldstein and her husband, Daniel "Red" Goldstein, of Fort Worth; grandchildren, Joshua Bushner, Sarah Bushner Goldshtrom, David Krauss, Danielle Lehrman, Ben Lehrman and Jacob Fuld; and several nieces and nephews and their families. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of IRWIN KRAUSS please visit our Sympathy Store.