Craig M. Kramer
Craig M Kramer of Chesterfield, MO passed away on November 29th, 2019 at 4:30pm surrounded by his wife and children after 20 months of battling ALS.
Craig is survived by his loving wife of 37 years Julie (Michaux) Kramer; three children Chelsea (Mark) Borchers, Hannah (Kyle Kutz) Kramer, and Mitch Kramer; two grandchildren Danielle and Adam; five siblings Jody (Rick) Kugele, Jan (Dave) Shields, Kevin (Diana) Kramer, Karen Kramer, and Kristin (Fidel) DeFreitas; parents-in-law Dave and Carol Michaux; sisters-in-law Diane Jablonski and Lisa Michaux; along with countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Craig is preceded in death by his parents Ken and Carol Kramer along with his brother-in-law Mike Michaux and brother and sister-in-law Cheryl and Jimmy Baker.
Craig was born on September 7, 1956 in Cincinnati, OH. He graduated from Elder High School in 1974 and from University of Cincinnati in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. A lifelong lover of learning, he went back to school and graduated from Washington University with an Executive MBA in 2009. Craig ended his professional career as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and lead office worker at Abengoa Bioenergy.
Craig enjoyed traveling, hiking, playing soccer, cycling, conspiring with his grandkids, building epic fires, and exploring the great outdoors. His Catholic faith was a huge part of his life and sustained him through his battle. He was an avid reader and loved math and science. Craig was always ready with a listening ear, and shared profound advice through his words and actions. Craig valued his friendships and was always up for an adventure. He is known for keeping everyone’s glass full at the party and dancing the night away. Craig was a master of mischief and always lived life to the fullest. Even in his last few weeks, he would rally to stay up for the party. After being diagnosed with ALS, Craig chose to be an advocate for the ALS community, raising funds and awareness so that others with ALS could have better care and support, live a better life, and hope for a cure.
A visitation will be held at Ascension Church in Chesterfield, MO on Saturday, January 4th, 2020 at 9:30am followed immediately by a memorial service at 10:30am.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the ALS Association ST. Louis Chapter. http://webstl.alsa.org/goto/
Forever #KramerStrong
Beautiful tribute to Craig! God bless you all
Beautiful tribute to a wonderful man….and I agree, a master of mischief! He will be missed. But Heaven has another bright star!
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Thinking of your entire family. Sending prayers and major hugs from the Parkin family. What beautiful words for such a kind loving man. He will be greatly missed ❤️
I can’t think of our EMBA class without instantly thinking of Craig. He was always the temperate voice of sound judgement when we needed one yet also the one Mischievously poking us to mix it up a little and have fun….when we needed it and when we didn’t know we needed it. He never gossiped but didn’t mind hearing it, he could always be trusted with confidences. He was smart and insightful yet didn’t feel it necessary to jump into every debate or conversation unless he could add value ….and he always did. He didn’t boast or brag, he didn’t bore us with stories, but we knew he had a great family that he was proud of and loved dearly by the choices he made and the way he dropped them into conversations as natural extensions of himself. I almost felt I was meeting a celebrity when I finally met Julie, she was Craig’s superstar, therefore she was a superstar. Period.
I’m so sorry Craig had to go.
I’m sad that his temperate voice of sound judgement has left the world.
And I’m so sad to think about those he left behind are hurting.
I thank those hurting who were left behind, however, for sharing him with us. We would be a different and lesser EMBA Class 32 without Craig.
JD
Beautiful tribute to Craig. What a wonderful, strong and amazing man. Will never forget that smile????
Julie, such a beautiful tribute to Craig. I have followed your families journey over the past 20 months. Our hearts are heavy, but we all know through the grace that you and your entire have shown over these past several months that your faith will continue to get you through. May your heavenly angel always be by your side. Love The Muellers
Julie,
I’ve only met you a few times, but fondly remember our fun bike ride on the Katy and through the research park and some fun parties with the Nieses. Please know of my sympathy and prayers for you and your family at this time. May God grant Craig eternal rest and peace.
Farewell our dear friend Craig. Thanks for including us in some of the adventures of your life. We will always reflect back on the time spent together and hold those memories close to savor again and again. Camping with the kids, going to concerts, getting away from work for long lunches, philosophizing in front of the fire over “a few” beers, doing a river run…too many to list.
A great friend and coworker who left a larger than life imprint on us all.
Julie, you were such an amazing caregiver to Craig over these past several months. Craig will be missed by many! What a trooper he was till the very end.
The Hamby family
Craig was such a great guy, and he will be so missed by everyone at the RN Services Family!! What an inspiration he was. Strong, kind, funny, outgoing, and as nice a human as you’d ever want to meet. We are so blessed to have known him!
So sorry to hear of this devastating loss Julie. It is my hope and fervent pray that his faith sustained the two of you as you battled a disease that provided no mercy..May eternal rest provide him the comfort life didn’t give him. Denny Rectenwald
Sorry for your loss Julie. Craig was a wonderful guy.
I was so sad to hear this news. Thank you for letting me learn from and serve you this past year at clinic.
I’ll be thinking of you Julie.
So sorry to hear this. Kramer kids, I know you’ll be strong and graceful. Our dads seemed like brothers sometimes, and I wouldn’t trade all those camping trips together when we were young for anything!
Julie I am so sorry. Craig had a beautiful life with and your children. You all have been so amazing and stronger through his illness. He was so blessed to have you all and you all were blessed by him. I am thinking and praying for you all.
So very sorry to hear this. The memories I have of our family camping trips growing up are some of the most precious. I’m grateful to have known Craig and for the time we all had together. Keeping you all in my heart and in my thoughts during this time.
Sending our love and prayers from your family in Cincinnati~
So sorry for your loss, prayers for you and the family.
Jody so sorry to hear about your brother. Prayers for you and Rick.