Gordon Cramer

M. Gordon Cramer, 89, passed away on Thursday, December 14th in Overland Park, Kansas Gordon was born on January 5th, 1927 in Columbia, Missouri, the son of Roscoe C. and Grace (Cove) Cramer. Gordon grew up in the Kansas City neighborhood of Swope Park, where he was infamous for providing freedom to a few small animals, specifically from the zoo. The park was his childhood playground and provided constant entertainment. High school was attended at Southwest where he graduated and decided to serve his country by enlisting in the Army and serving his tour in Beppu, Japan. After his return, the GI Bill was used to attend the University of Missouri in Columbia and graduating with a Business Administration degree. After college, he returned to Kansas City, married and had children; two girls and one boy. Because he had the wonderful “gift of gab”, sales became his natural vocation. He used those skills and traveled two states; Kansas and Missouri for Carter Water’s and eventually retired from his successful career as a Vice President and moved to Manhattan, Kansas. His life was full; traveling throughout the United States, visiting Wyoming every summer, being a season ticket holder for the Chiefs, Kansas State Wildcats football, Kansas State Wildcats Women’s volleyball and basketball and Missouri Tigers football. He also had two vegetable gardens that he loved and when the crops were ripe would share the fruits of his labor with family and friends alike. Lastly, he loved telling stories and cracking jokes and provided constant entertainment during rousing card games or nursing his coffee while sitting at the table as a member of the Manhattan, Kansas Vista men’s coffee club. His love and kindness was felt by many and he will be missed. Gordon is survived his loving wife, Luann Cramer of Leawood, Kansas; two daughters, Gayle and Teresa; one son, Robert Cramer; two step sons, Brad and Clay Maupin; two step daughters, Kim Sweet and Sue Maupin; eight grandchildren, three great grandchildren, as well as other family members. Memorial services will be held at 11:00am, December 23 at Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home, 1317 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas. Fond memories and condolences may be shared at www.irvinparkview.com