Paul Kral

Paul Kral passed away on at the age of 91. He was a first generation American, the son of a Serbian immigrant father. He attended Claremont Men’s College (Claremont McKenna College) where he was a founding member of the Tortugateers. His military service was in the Panama Canal Zone where he initially commanded an Infantry Heavy Weapons Platoon, and after completing extensive training at the Jungle Warfare Training Center he was transferred 23” Division Military Police Company where he commanded a Military Police Platoon. Following his military service he worked for a major freeway contractor Ukropina-Polich-Kral (a joint venture), as well as for Steve Kral Corp., General Contractors. In 1980 he made a major career change when he joined U.S. Administrators, Inc. as Executive Vice President, which later became First Health Strategies, a managed care company. The company administered self-insured health plans for Fortune 100 companies, national labor unions and public entities. In addition to being responsible for the company’s west coast operations he had direct account management responsibility for a number of clients including Hewlett-Packard and Goldman Sachs. Paul retired from First Health Strategies in 2005 after a 25-year career. He found time to be of service to his industry, his community, and to his Church. He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Associated General Contractors - Los Angeles District, President of the Underground Engineering Contractors Association, Co- Chairman of the Governors Industrial Safety Conference, member of the CALTRANS Arbitration Board, and served as a Management Trustee on a number of Taft-Hartley Union-Management Trusts. He served as Co-Chairman of several finance committees that raised funds for the passage of two Los Angeles County Flood Control Bond Issues and a City of Los Angeles Bond Issue. In addition, he served as Chairman of the Research and Information Committee of the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. He was a member of the Gatun Masonic Lodge, Al Malaikah Shrine, American Legion Draza Mihailovich Post 827, and the San Marino City Club. In 2015 after many years of service he retired as a County Commissioner on the Los Angeles County Workforce Investment Board where he served as Vice Chair of the Board. He also represented Los Angeles County on the Joint Southern California Veterans Training and Employment Committee. He was a life member of Saint Steven’s Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Alhambra, California and served for decades on the Cathedral’s Board of Trustees; was a Sunday school teacher, and served as the President of The Cathedral’s Executive Board. On the Diocesan level he served as Treasurer, and for over 30 years as the summer camp director for the American Western Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America. In recognition of his dedication and service to the church he was awarded the Order of Saint Sava – 1st Degree by the Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Belgrade, Serbia. This is the highest award a layman can receive from the Council of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Paul is survived by his loving family; daughter Kim, son-in-law Stew Leonard Jr. of Westport, CT, son Robert, daughter in-law Christy of Heath, TX, six grandchildren Blake (Mrs. Edward Arbellot), Ryann (Mrs. Matt Grosbard), Chase and Madison Leonard, Hunter and Avery Kral and four great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to St. Steven’s Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, 1621 W. Garvey Avenue, Alhambra, CA 91803 where a Memorial Endowment Fund will be established in his memory. There will be a “Celebration of Life” service followed by a luncheon at the Cathedral 1621 W. Garvey Avenue, Alhambra on Friday April 4th starting at 11:00 am.