Vernon E. Cramer, 88, of Huntsville, passed away Wednesday. Mr. Cramer was born in Huntsville at the Cramer home on Franklin Street, currently the site of the Huntsville Hospital for Women and Children. He was a 4th generation Huntsvillian, the grandson of Carl P. Cramer and the great-grandson of Karl Ernst Cramer, who immigrated from Schweinfurt, Germany, and settled in Huntsville in 1873. The Cramer family dates back to 1396 in Schweinfurt.
Mr. Cramer attended public school in Huntsville and graduated from Huntsville High School in 1947. He attended Harding University in Searcy, AR and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Mr. Cramer served two tours of duty in the United States Army with the 5th Infantry Division and the 501st Air Defense Detachment. He also served 10 months in combat with Headquarters Battery, I Corps Field Artillery in the Korean Conflict from January thru October 1951. His awards included the Korean Service Medal with two C21 Bronze Stars, the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the Republic of South Korea Commendation Medal, the Republic of South Korea War Service Medal, and the Special Commendation Medal from the people of the Republic of South Korea.
Upon his return to civilian life, Mr. Cramer married his sweetheart, Mary Eva Honey, on June 7, 1952, and they made their home in Huntsville. Mr. Cramer gained employment with the Department of the Army (U.S. Army Missile Command) in November 1952 where he remained until his retirement in December 1984. Upon his retirement, Mr. Cramer earned his Real Estate Broker license and enjoyed seventeen years in residential and commercial sales, property management, and land development.
Mr. Cramer was a member of the Mayfair Church of Christ, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Korean War Veterans Association. He was also a charter member of the Jones Valley Community Watch Association.
Mr. Cramer loved golf and all sports. He was a former member of the Huntsville Quarterback Club; the Red Elephant Club; and a lifelong supporter of the Alabama Crimson Tide. ROLL TIDE!
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Mary Eva Honey Cramer; son, Vernon Kent Cramer and wife, Tracy Ives Cramer, of Birmingham; daughter, Kristi Cramer Martin and husband, Thomas Gregory (Greg) Martin of Columbia, TN; grandson, Thomas Young (Ty) Martin III of Nashville, TN; granddaughter, Cramer Hart Martin, of Nashville, TN; brother, Robert E. Cramer, Sr. and wife, Mazzie, of Huntsville; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, good friends and neighbors. Mr. Cramer was preceded in death by his father, Charles P. Cramer; mother, Norma Eaton Cramer; older brother, Carl P. Cramer; and younger sister, Doris Sue Cramer.
Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Saturday at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home chapel with Jason Bybee and Judge Dennis O’Dell officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Children’s Advocacy Center, 210 Pratt Ave., NE, Huntsville, AL 35801.
