Today. I Climb. I Release for You, Dad.
You struggled. You tried. You were good.
I bore witness to that trial.
Our eyes met. You are free.
Be at Peace.
Circuitdelic Laboratory Mandelbrot Spirals.
Spiral Shells Found on Ohio River this week.
Dad’s Police Hat. City Seal. Moon over Waterworks.
I didn’t always make you proud. I’m sorry.
I always wanted to. Please ask God to bless me.
About my Dad:
James Armond Kroger (July 25, 1941 – September 19, 2011) was a respected figure in the Cincinnati community, known for his dedication to public service and his warm, engaging personality. Based on public tributes from those who knew him best, here is a summary of the kind of man he was:
A Dedicated Public Servant
- Highly Respected Officer: He served as a Cincinnati Police Department (CPD) officer in the 1970s, specifically in District 1 and Mt. Adams. Fellow officers and citizens alike respected him for being a “hard-working officer” who took great pride in his work.
- Strong Ethics: Colleagues from his time at the CPD described him as a “man of ethics” and a “great guy to work with” who was always willing to lend a hand to everyone.
- Dispatcher: After his time as an officer, he continued his service to the community as a dispatcher for the St. Bernard Police Department.
A Man of Great Spirit and Humor
- Warm and Friendly: He was remembered as a “sweet, caring, loving, and kind person”. Friends from as far back as grade school at St. George Parish recalled him as always smiling and making everyone laugh.
- Sense of Humor: He was known for being as funny as he was kind, possessing a warm spirit that could easily produce a smile.
- “The Gapper”: He was affectionately known by the nickname “The Gapper” among his fellow CPD members.
- A “Great Dancer”: High school friends fondly remembered him not just for his personality, but also as a great dancer.
Deeply Rooted in Family and Community
- Family Man: He was a devoted husband to Marilyn and a loving father to Jon-Paul and Kevin. He was known for welcoming others into his family with open arms and a warm spirit.
- Cincinnati Roots: Growing up in the Corryville area, he had deep ties to the city. He even worked at his father’s (Armond Joseph Kroger) “dime store” on McMillan Street during his youth.
