Gary E. Cramer

Gary Earl Cramer passed away Sunday, March 9, 2014, at the Good Samaritan Society in Hays, Kansas at the age of 73. He was born March 21, 1940 to H. Earl and Martha E. (Mickelsen) Cramer in Long Beach, California. Gary graduated from Stockton High School with the Class of 1958. He went on to attend both Fort Hays State College, where he played football, and Butler Community College. He was united in marriage to Shirley (Strecker) Cramer on March 4, 1962 in Milberger, Kansas. To this union were born two daughters, Sherry and Genell. Gary worked for over 30 years in the oil industry, starting out as a truck driver for Texaco. A few years later, he began working as a District Gauger for Kaw Pipeline Company where he retired after 25 years of service. For Gary, life wasn’t always all about work. He was an avid outdoorsman, who loved nature and just the feeling of being outside. He loved to hunt, fish, and always had a part-time job doing farm work. But most of all, he knew how to laugh, have fun, and enjoy life. Gary was a “character” who loved to make jokes as well as tell them. If he wasn’t busy thinking up a new prank, it was because he had done pulled it already. Life with Gary was always fun and happy. There was never a boring moment. Gary is survived by his wife, Shirley of the home; two daughters, Sherry Dryden and husband Blaine, and Genell Albert and husband Brett, both of Hays; two brothers, Steve Cramer and partner Wanda Ward of Caney, and Dick Cramer and wife Connie of Hastings, NE; six grandchildren, Keith Dryden, Charlotte Copper and husband Michael, Ashli Dryden, Daniel Dryden, Corbin Albert, and Cade Albert; and two great-grandchildren, Emersyn Copper, and Elliot Copper. He was preceded in death by his parents H. Earl and Martha Cramer. Gary will be greatly missed. As our tears cleanse our hearts of our loss, the sound of his laughter mixed with ours, will forever reignite his contagious joy in our lives for generations to come, for he was greatly loved. Reception: American Legion