A Memorial Service for Gerhard Hans Krons 91 owner and operator of Krons Service Center Inc. from 1951 until 1982 who died March 7 2008 at his home with his loved ones at his side will be held 1 pm Saturday at Hope Lutheran Church of Daytona Beach.

Mr. Krons was born in Hamburg Germany on November 2 1916 where he attended the public schools. He continued his studies for three years at a trade school for automobile mechanics and earned his journeyman's license. He worked the following five years as a journeyman as required by German law and was awarded his license as a Master Mechanic thus enabling him to open his own business.

During that period Mr. Krons pursued his passion for speed and became well-known throughout Germany and surrounding countries as a championship motorcycle racer. He won dozens of trophies for first-place wins on ice tracks dirt tracks and in cross-country competitions.

A sergeant in the German Air Force Mr. Krons served two tours on the Russian front during WWII before being honorably discharged as the result injuries sustained from a grenade. Mr. Krons and family immigrated to America in 1949. The entire family became naturalized citizens in 1954.

Gerhard and Toni Krons opened and operated their service station as a team. Gerhard ran the six-bay garage and towing service while Toni ran a small lunch kitchen inside the business made the daily calls for fuel and parts and handled the bookkeeping.

During the years of the races on the beach/road course race track at Ponce Inlet many race teams used the Krons garage for repairs. When the time was right their son and daughter joined the business along with their respective spouses. As the only gas station lunch counter and towing service on the southern end of the peninsula Krons Service Center was for many years a neighborhood gathering place.

Gerhard Krons retired in 1982 and turned the business over to his son. Krons was predeceased by his wife in 1982 shortly after their 42nd wedding anniversary. He buried the second love of his life and long-time companion Maria Schneider in 2003.

A citizen of the world Mr. Krons was an enthusiastic traveler. He had a framed world map with markers notating each destination he reached. At last count there were more than 250 markers. During the last decade he and his daughter traveled the world together. While he acknowledged his hard work and success in this life Mr. Krons was always the first to say he had only one true joy - the time he spent with his family.

Survivors include his son Bill Heinz; his daughter and caregiver Ursula (Krons) and son-in-law and Gerhard's best friend Gordis Preston; his cousin Christian Mueller and wife Marion; six grandchildren including his caregiver Christine Preston and husband Timothy Wine Geoffrey Preston Kevin H. Krons and wife Jamie Kimberly (Krons) Toth and husband Michael Jennifer (Krons) Rondeau and husband Jeremy and Kenneth Davis; and 8 great-grandchildren. Donations may be made to Hope Lutheran Church 894 Williamson Blvd. Daytona Beach 32114 or Hospice of Volusia/Flagler 3800 Woodbriar Trail Port Orange 32119.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are under the careful direction of Baggett & Summers Funeral Home.