Stanley (Stan) F. Krupka Jr. was born on Sept. 25, 1940 and called home on June 17, 2024 at the age of 83. He was born in Eureka to Stanley F. Krupka Sr. and Doris Karen Sonberg Krupka. Stan (Sonny) lived all of his life on the family ranch (The Little Ponderosa) at the end of Mitchell Road in Eureka.

He felt the most comfortable at his home surrounded by his many sculptures, including: Tetradactyl, Ceratops, Cowboy, complete with guns, which was on display at the California State Fair, dragon, pirate, six-foot stagecoach with horses, that was on display at Wells Fargo Banks, Danial the Lion that stands six feet tall and resembles Stan, a four-foot cow which stands outside the original barn, and so many more. He was in the process of building a longhorn steer when a defibrillator would not allow him to use the electric welder for fear of execution. His signature was his initials enclosed in his beloved redwood trees. The family plans on have Stan’s sculptures on display for public viewing at some point in the future.

Stan and three of his fellow senior Eureka High football members traveled to Oakland and tried out for the Raiders Football team. Unfortunately, a horrific automobile crash in Willits on their way home ended their career in football. One classmate perished in the crash. Stan was a man of few words; he expressed his love through his sculptures and his service in volunteering. He spent many years volunteering for Pop Warner football and many civic organizations. He was also proud of his large (very large) train that he donated to Sequoia Park for the children to play on.

He never had his own children and was particularly touched when his nephew, John Etchell and Gracie Hayes, named their son (Sonny) after him. It meant so much to him. Everyone at his celebration of life service expressed their belief that they were special to him because of his sweet smile and raised eyebrows that he bestowed on them individually.

Private family services were held June 30, 2024, at the Krupka Ranch in Eureka. He was laid to rest at Ocean View Cemetery between his parents.

He was pre-deceased by his loving parents, his sister Geraldine Giddings, his brother-in-law Robert Etchell, his nephew Stanley F. Giddings, his uncles Fred, Bud and Orrin Sondberg, his niece Julie Etchell and his Aunt Lucille Younger.

He is survived by his loving sister Frances Etchell of Healdsburg. His nephew Robert (Gary) Etchell, Jamen Etchell, Greg (Dana) Etchell, Matthew (Jacqueline) Etchell, Gerry (Ray) Newton, Dawn (Milton) Rose, Rita Goad, Richard (Angela) Giddings, Doris Farris and many great-nieces and nephews.

A special thanks to his niece Rita Goad and cousin Dixie Klemp for all their care in his later years. Their care allowed “Uncle Sonny” to remain at home.