Chakri Jefferson April 12, 1960 - January 9, 2016
Chakri Jefferson Kridakorn was a resident of Marietta, GA and an active member of the Music Ministry at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, while serving in the United States Army. He was a member of the US Army Band playing flute and piccolo, and had been stationed at both Ft. McPherson and Ft. Benning.
He retired from the Army in 2012 and moved to Hua Hin, Thailand. The Lord called him home on Janurary 9, 2016.
Jeff, "Kridder" to his friends, was a graduate of Sidney Lanier High School (1978) and the University of Alabama (1983) where he was a proud member of the "Million Dollar Band". During his 20 years in the United States Army, he served many tours of duty that included Iraq, Germany and Korea.
To say that Jeff enjoyed life would be an understatement, as he lived each day to its fullest with joy and gusto. Born to Dr. Od and Srinakorn Kridakorn, both deceased, Jeff is survived by his older brother, Saksiri Ed Kridakorn (Bankok, Thailand), and his older sister, Kittilax Apple Kridakorn (Wetumpka, AL); two nieces, Leigh Hall (LaGrange, IL), Nancy Karnjanachusak, (Bankok, Thailand); three great nieces, Claudia, Elizabeth and Margaret Hall (LaGrange, IL); one great nephew Charlie Hall (LaGrange, IL); and a host of cousins, relatives and friends.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday February 19, 2016 at St. Joseph's Church, 87 Lacy Street, Marietta, GA, at 10AM, Monsignor John Walsh officiating.
Published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on February 14, 2016.
Deceased Poet: Jeffrey Kridakorn
Date Of Birth: 04-12-1960
Date Deceased: 01-09-2016
Age at Death: 55
Cause of Death: Automobile Accident
Poet City: Marietta
Poet State: GA
Poet Country: USA
Survived By: Nieces and nephews in Thailand
Jeff was a member of the French Club, a Tennis Champ and a member of the Marching Poet Band at Sidney Lanier High School, Class of 1978. He received a scholarship to The University of Alabama, where he LOVED the Million Dollar Band.
Upon completion of his college degree, he entered the U.S. Army on 12/30/1991. Jeff had several tours that included Germany. While serving near Lousville, Kentucky he worked with the Actors Theatre of Louisville for a swing dance group.
Jeff retired after 20 years of service on 12/31/2012. He spent the remainder of his years in Thailand, the homeland of his mother, where he taught English to high school students of Hua-Hin Vitthayalai School (Salesian). Jeff often traveled between Thailand & the US.
Jeff was the First in the history of Thailand to have a U.S. Military Honor for Cremation (Buddhist funeral) at Hua Hin Province, Wat Tad Thong, Bankok, Thailand. The honor team was led by Colonel Redmon. Two of Jeff's good friends, Frank T. Briscoe performed the bugle and Brendan Osweiler presented the flag to Jeff's older brother.
There were 2 flags presented. The US Army made a military exception to the rule and presented one for my dad and another one was for me as a reward for trying to make it all happen - making it the first full U.S. military honor in Thai history. A special thanks to General Vincent Brooks for his generosity and support.
Information Provided By Wendy Flamand