Remembering Former Mayor Pete Krug; He Served his Community

“I am saddened by Pete’s passing and pray for comfort for Penny, his family and his many friends,” former Kyle Mayor Todd Webster said.

Kyle, TX – Former Kyle Mayor John P. “Pete” Krug served the Kyle community in many capacities over the past 20+ years. He passed away December 6 according to his wife, Penny Krug.

His commitment and dedication to the city and the community were evident throughout his time here in Kyle. Over the past four decades, Krug was a familiar face around town. He was well known by current and former city officials, many of whom are mourning his loss.

“I am saddened by Pete’s passing and pray for comfort for Penny, his family and his many friends,” former Kyle Mayor Todd Webster said. “I am thankful for all that he has done for Kyle over his lifetime and for the example he set for me and others serving our community. He had a profound impact on my approach to public service and I will be forever grateful.”

Krug served in the U.S. military from Feb. 21, 1956 to Feb. 20, 1960. He also had a 25-year career in law enforcement, beginning with the Hays County Sheriff’s Office in 1977. Krug later worked for the Austin Airport Police Department, was a detective at the Kyle Police Department and served as a bailiff for the Kyle Municipal Court.

“Pete was just an outstanding member of the Kyle community,” Kyle Police Chief Jeff Barnett said. “Even after retirement, he came to every community event. We will miss him and are extremely grateful for all the hours he dedicated to our police department, both as a civil servant and a volunteer.”

After moving to Kyle in 1969, Krug became a volunteer firefighter with the Kyle Fire Department/ESD #5. He served with that department until the mid 1990s.

He was elected to his first term as mayor in April 1974 then re-elected in 1976. During that time, he accepted the award for Kyle when it was designated as an official U.S. Bicentennial city.

“Pete and Penny Krug were literally the first people to welcome me and my family to Kyle when I relocated our family here to work for the City,” Kyle Assistant City Manager James Earp said. “Pete was a large personality: loving and caring for others. He lived and embodied our KYLE core values, before we had even defined them — he just intuitively knew what they were. Pete’s leadership in this community laid the foundation for the city that we have today, and while he will be missed by me and countless others, I hope to continue to embody his spirit in my service to the community and see that his legacy lives on.”

Former Kyle Mayor Lucy Johnson said, “Pete Krug was a lifelong believer in serving one’s community. Not only did he spend countless hours volunteering, he also supported and encouraged those of us trying to give back ourselves. For me and others who served on the city council, Pete was a wise counselor, always with a welcoming smile and kind chuckle, wanting to know how we’d gotten ourselves in trouble this time, and how he could help. Pete and Penny always had an open door, and I know many of us, including myself, took advantage of it. The world needs more Pete Krugs, and I’m thankful that Kyle was lucky enough to have the original. He will be sorely missed by us all.”

In 2000, Krug was appointed to Kyle’s Home Rule Charter Commission and elected chair by his peers. He also served on the City of Kyle Ethics Committee.

In 1997, 1998 and 2001, Krug served on the assessment committees to review applicants for the chief of police position. In 2010, he was appointed to the Home Rule Charter Review Committee. He was also appointed to the city’s Civil Service Commission in 2011 where he served until just recently.

For several years, Krug volunteered on the Kyle Fair on the Square Committee, organizing (and participating in) the BBQ cook-off.

Krug was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, Kyle/Buda Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #12085 and AMVETS Post #115.

Krug was an endowed member of the Live Oak (Kyle) #304 Masonic Lodge, the Buda #800 Masonic Lodge and the Rambo #426 Masonic Lodge. Over the years, he served in several elected positions in each lodge.

He also served on the Training Board for the Hays County Sheriff’s Office starting in 2006 and was chairman of that board since 2010.

Krug hailed originally from Hanover, Pennsylvania. He earned an Associate Degree in Business Administration from Thompson School of Business in York, PA. He later attended San Antonio College where he completed 24 hours of college credit.

He obtained his Instructor Certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) in 1991 and was awarded his Master Peace Officer certification in 1998. He completed more than 1,089 hours of course training during his career.

A bench in City Square Park is dedicated to Pete Krug for his service both to his country and to Kyle.

“The City of Kyle extends its warmest thanks and sincere condolences to the family of Pete Krug,” Mayor Travis Mitchell said. “Pete’s outstanding service to his country and to this community will always be gratefully remembered.”