Born in Pittsburgh, PA, May 31, 1962, Peter Kroko moved to Tustin, CA, with his family at age 4. Through Tustin Memorial Elementary, Utt Intermediate, and Foothill High School, he set his course among a circle of close friends who stayed in touch until his death on July 29, 2014.

Peter held a variety of jobs while earning a degree in Industrial Design from Cal State Long Beach. He worked as a Product Designer at GE Plastics Division in Pittsfield, MA, and then returned to Tustin to set up his own freelance design business, Kroko Design. He adapted quickly from drawing board to computer-aided design skills.

Peter and Lori Porter were married in 1998, and their son, Ben, was born in 2004. Father and son were best buddies. They loved spending time together building customized computers, and they shared an appreciation for all things cars.

One of the achievements that Peter was most proud of was his painstaking restoration of a bungalow in the historic district of Tustin, which served as their family home. He spent a great deal of time searching out authentic period construction materials and design elements.

Peter will be remembered for his sense of humor and for his creative spirit, which was displayed in his art. He is survived by his wife, Lori, and son, Ben; mother, Dorothy; sisters, Catherine and Caroline; and brother, Ned. He was preceded in death by his father, Leonard.

A memorial will be held Friday, August 8, at 2 pm at Brown Colonial Mortuary, Santa Ana, CA.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity that reflects Peter’s interests or his life story.