Jerome (Jerry) Harvey Kramer, age 94 of Tucson, AZ, passed away peacefully on Sept 22nd in the loving presence of his wife, Mary.
Jerry was born July 28, 1928, and raised in Milwaukee, WI. He began his career in sales, working for Universal and Columbia Pictures before going into business for himself. As vice president of United Wine and Spirits, Jerry trained the sales staff and grew the company to become the largest wine distributor in the state of Wisconsin. Always the consummate salesman, mentor and coach, Jerry knew how to look for the best in others.
Jerry’s sense of humor and his ability to bring laughter, light-heartedness and optimism will be sorely missed. He had a wit and charm that entertained and put others at ease. Jerry was dedicated, generous, and supportive of his family and he cherished spending time with them. He enjoyed discussing the issues of the day; he could disagree, and not be disagreeable. He was a great player of Gin Rummy as well as a formidable opponent at Monopoly. He was always amused by hardware stores, and he would joke as he referred to them as “the great mystery” (he was not a handy man). Jerry’s strengths lay in his ability to relate to people. He leaves behind a legacy of “wanting niceness” for everyone.
Jerry enjoyed skiing, golf, biking, hiking, sailing, photography, painting in oil or acrylic, going to plays and musicals. He enjoyed orchestral music, swing, and big band music of the 40’s. Jerry also cherished the many trips throughout the U.S. with his wife, Mary, in their RV, and other means of travel around the globe.
Jerry was predeceased by his parents, Harry and Betty Kramer, brother, Morton, his beloved son, Andrew Kramer and the mother of his 4 sons, Karen Lee Kramer.
Jerry is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Mary Eleanor (nee Ivey); sons, Steven (Margaret Wilcox), David (Sari), Thomas (Susan), stepson, Steven Post and stepdaughter, Krista Post (John Healy); grandchildren: Anya and Ethan Healy, Sarah, Max, Zoe, Allie, Laura (Alex) Strashny, Adin Horovitz, Emily (Conrad) Schernecker and Alyssa (Alex) Nennig; great grandchildren: Rafael, Maya, Wolf, Sara, Ethan, Charlie and Charlotte and many other beloved relatives and friends.
Services will be held at East Lawn Palms Cemetery in Tucson on Friday, September 30th at 11:30 am. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to a charity of your choice or to the Alzheimer’s Association.
