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Donald Cram Obituary

Donald Owen Cram, 69, died in his sleep in Rio Rancho on February 16, 2019 having lost his battle with congestive heart failure. Don was born July 31, 1949 in Los Angeles. Don was a retired Episcopal priest and math and sciences teacher in Rio Rancho and Albuquerque. Don took pleasure in writing fantasy novels upon retirement. In 1987 Don was mistakenly informed he won 1987's Nobel Prize in chemistry. A media storm ensued on the funny story, and Don was on the Tonight Show. It's fun YouTube viewing. A memorial service will be held for family in Sedona, AZ. Don is survived by his wife of 49 years, Carol (Lawton), Jonathan (Kristin) and children Julia and Charlie, daughter Deborah Nardozzi (Mark) and children Maxwell and Natalia, daughter Anna Cummings (Paul) and children Jacob, Lorelei and Mia, son Michael, plus brothers Layne, David and Marc. Donations may be made to the Don Cram Memorial Fund at any Nusenda Credit Union in NM, or through the Go Fund Me account online. Don will be remembered as always kind, always helpful, always loving.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Albuquerque Journal on Feb. 24, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
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Gerald budin

October 18, 2024

Very sad. A good man

Debra

October 30, 2023

No, I did not know Donald, I recently saw his appearance on Johnny Carson. It was one of the most interesting and endearing segments that I have seen to date. I am sorry to see that Donald passed. He certainly left a mark on this world.

Cristina

November 4, 2022

What a lovely man. I just watched a tonight show rerun and had to see what became of him. I'm sorry that he was gone so soon.

Bruce Stabbert

November 1, 2022

Just saw this notice of Don's passing. My prayers are with you, Carol, and with them come many happy memories of days in Washington State at our table, talking about what a church is. Don is remembers with great affection--a true disciple of our Lord!

Bruce Stabbert

mary rye

October 20, 2022

i just saw mr cram on a rerun of the tonight show and he had such a pleasant engaging personality and i googled his name. sorry to read of his passing, but he seemed to have lived a good life and was a blessing in his time on earth. condolences to his family. God bless his soul and his family with comfort.

Steven Smith

October 20, 2022

I really enjoyed seeing Donald on the Tonight show. I am so sorry he left us so young. I wish I could have congratulated him for his nobel win. He was a wonderful personality. God bless you Donald.

Kathy Martell

October 20, 2022

Just saw The Tonight Show featuring Donald for the 2nd time. He sure had a wonderful laugh & sense of humor. Rest In Peace.

jack propps

October 20, 2022

I just watched the classic broadcast on johnny carson, he was such a natural good humored man.. he would of made an excellent celebrity..

Charles Worthington

October 21, 2021

I just saw Don on The Tonight Show, as well.

Don is one of my favorite "everyday people" interviews.

What a great well-lived, abet it a too-short-time, in this life.

Blessings and abundance for Don and his loving wife and all his many children and relatives.

Sally Breck

October 21, 2021

What a great public speaker on Tonight Show. Sorry to hear of Don´s passing.

Cassie Lynch

October 30, 2020

I just saw Don on the tonight show and he was very entertaining and enjoyable. He seemed like a very nice man. My condolences to his family.

Shirley Baker

February 24, 2019

Dear Carol and family, I was saddened to learn of Don's passing. He was a bright light in his ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande and an encouragement to me spiritually as well as in the study of New Testament Greek. My prayers are with you and your family. There is no doubt that Don is in the presence of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. That knowledge is comforting, but the loss of his daily presence can only be fully understood by those of us who have also lost a very dear one. Please know there are many of us you have never met who will walk beside you in spirit during this difficult time now and in the days ahead. If grief tries to master you, you need only pray for deliverance...ask and you will receive.

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