Herald Kaffka, Sr.

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Service Schedule
Graveside
Herman Cemetery
Hwy 18/91
Jonesboro, AR  72401
Saturday, May 13, 2017
10:30 AM
Cemetery
Herman Cemetery
Hwy 91
Bono, AR  72416
I served in the Army.
Herald Kaffka, Sr.I am a Veteran.

of Jonesboro, AR

May 16, 1928 - May 10, 2017

Herald Kaffka, Sr., 88, of Jonesboro, passed away Wednesday, May 10, 2017. He was born in Jonesboro on May 16, 1928, the son of Lauranel and Daniel Kaffka. As a 12 year old boy, Herald got a job as a helper at an ice-making plant. He rode a wagon loaded with ice pulled by a team of mules and would haul ice to customers, as was the practice in 1940. The ice wagon was driven by gentleman by the name of "Moses" and he served as a helper to Moses. Somehow the name became his nickname, and for many years Herald was always called Moses by his close friends.

Despite being less than six-feet tall, he exceeded in varsity football at Jonesboro High School. He was a starting left guard for the Hurricanes when he was a sophomore, which was highly unusual. For his fierce spirit of competition, he was named to the first team of the All-Arkansas Football Team for three consecutive years, 1944-46. In 1946, he became a member of Arkansas State College football team, but found college football so different from high school football, that he ended his football activity in 1947, when he transferred to the University of Arkansas. Upon his graduation from the U of A in 1950, he was engaged in the Kaffka family business In Jonesboro. In 1951, with the outbreak of the Korean War, he was drafted and sent to Camp Chaffee in Fort Smith for basic training. Because of a dire shortage of qualified cooks at the base, he was assigned immediately as a cook and ordered to skip basic training which is a rare military feat. For the next two years, he remained at Fort Chaffee, serving as a cook, and was awarded merits of honor for his innovative conduct as a cook. For a few years, Herald was considered the state champion of both chess and checkers. While stationed in Fort Chaffee, he played chess in an unusual style going from table to table with individual competing soldiers and rarely lost. Late in his life Herald turned to the Internet to take on all comers in primary checkers, and eventually was among the top five rated checker players on the Internet, based on points acquired by games won. On one occasion, after defeating an unknown Internet checker player, the losing individual congratulated Herald on his skill, and announced his identity as former President George Herbert Bush. After being discharged from the U. S. Army, he returned to participate in the family business until the middle 1950's, when he was employed by Sears and was recognized as the top salesman in the entire United Sates. He opened his own Real Estate Agency, Herald Kaffka Realty Co., where he worked until he retired. Herald was a member of the Jonesboro Masonic Lodge #129 since 1949.

Preceding him in death are his parents, his wife of many years Peggy; sisters Naomi and Jean.

Survivors include, sons, Herald Kaffka, Jr., of Memphis, TN., Tony Kaffka, of Jonesboro; daughters, Rebecca Pasmore of Maryland, Donna Sue Kaffka of Cherokee Village; brothers, E. Jay Kaffka of Mountain View, Dan Kaffka, Jr., of Simi, California; sister, Betty Rogers of Circleville, Ohio; grandchildren, Justin, Christopher, Elizabeth and Alexandria.

Graveside service will be held, Saturday, May 13, 2017 beginning at 10:30 AM at Herman Cemetery, with Tommy Herndon officiating.

Lasting memorials can be made in Herald's honor to the charity of choice.

Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com

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8 Condolence(s)
Elizabeth Kaffka
jonesboro, AR
Liked
Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Tonight was the first time I ever had it in my heart to admit that I loved you. I miss you.

Daniel C. Kaffka Jr
Camarillo, CA
Liked
Tuesday, May 16, 2017

My Brother Herald was a very unique person and face any problems with intensity.He was always there for all of our family and was willing to help any of us.Herald protected our sister's (3) He would not allow anyone to harm them. He spoke many languages. In 1946 J.H.S. Senior Class President as sister Norman Jean Parrott (Kaffka) was Homecoming Queen in 1946. Herald was All State Football player Left Guard. Herald and I would often play Chess all night long. I won some yet he won most of the time stalemate was his last straw I told Dad one time that II had won Our Father said Bull that Herald could not lose I told Dad No Kaffka takes losing easy .He beat many Chess players on the state level in Chess When he became bored he started playing Checkers and became A champion playing checkers of the Southern States. . Losing was never on his mind he had to be 01 He held a Master Player Card in Bridge .I will miss him greatly yet Jesus said it was time to lay down his earthly shell and leave the dust in the ground and return his spirit to God who gave it to him. Gone ,but never forgotten .I will never stop Loving my Brother as he was a Great Person. One day I will be with Jesus and all my kinfolk All my LOVE Daniel (Dee) Kaffka

Steve and Patty Willard
Jordan, AR
Liked
Monday, May 15, 2017

So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

God Bless,
Steve and Patty

Eda Sulfridge Bates
Springfield,
Liked
Friday, May 12, 2017

I have very fond memories of Mr. Kafffka. I spent a lot of time at the Kaffka home playing with the Prospect kids. I am so sorry he is gone but so thankful he is reunited with Mrs. Kaffka.

Susan Wright Wallace
,
Liked
Friday, May 12, 2017

Donna.... I'm so so sorry for the loss of your Dad. I will be praying for you and your family in the days to come. What an awesome legacy he was!
Hugs to you sweet girl!

Dianna Kaffka
Calabasas, CA
Liked
Thursday, May 11, 2017

Becky, Herald, DonnaSue and Tony, my thoughts are with you during this time. My dad looked up to your dad when they were kids and I know he would like to be there with you. My family is thinking of you and we send you our thoughts and prayers. I know the last year has been difficult but now he is at peace.
My sincerest condolence to all of you and your families.
Dianna Kaffka

Donna & Gary Gibbs
Mountain View, AR
Liked
Thursday, May 11, 2017

To Jay & the rest of the family, we are sorry for your loss & our prayers are with you! Love you, Donna & Gary

Jerry Kaffka
Burke, VA
Liked
Thursday, May 11, 2017

My family and I are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our cousin Herald and extend our most sincere condolences to his children, grandchildren and other family members. We respect his achievements; his love of family and are privileged to have known him. The world will be a far less interesting place without him in it and he will be, truly, missed.

Most Respectfully,

Jerry Kaffka and Family