John Fred Cramer, 86, of Onalaska, Wash., passed away peacefully at his home Friday, March 19, 2021, with his family at his side. John was born June 17, 1934, in Houston, Texas, to John Fred and Ora Clay (Harwood) Cramer. John came to Washington State to live with his grandma after his family moved to Arkansas, so that he could attend schools that offered him a path to his dream of working as an engineer.
He graduated from high school in Port Angeles, Wash., in 1952, and went on to earn his masters degree in electrical engineering from University of Washington in Seattle, this led him to a future career with Boeing, where he worked in their defense department. While attending community college at Olympic in Bremerton, John would walk next door to Bremerton High School to listen to the choir, the Modernaires, at practice. It was there that he met his sweetheart and future wife, Nancy Ruth Bonham, whom he wed in Bremerton, April 16, 1955.
John was a kind and adventurous man, who loved his family and his pets, which included four Belgian Draft horses. He enjoyed hiking, and climbed several mountains, including Mt. St. Helens, when it still had its top. He loved riding motorcycles, as well as building up and racing cars. John was also a good friend; when he was in Kent, he and his buddies from Boeing would often get together for visits, and when he moved to Lewis County, he would visit his friends around the county.
John is united in Heaven with his son, Karl Vincent Cramer; brother, Tom Cramer; and his parents.
He is lovingly remembered by his great love, Nancy; daughters, Ruth (Kevin) Schindler, Heather Cramer, and Rebecca (Rick) Collodi; 10 beloved grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brother, Charles (Judy) Cramer; and sister-in-law, Vicki Cramer.
