Capt. Joseph P. Kramer III

Elizabeth City resident

Captain Joseph Perry Kramer III, age 70, passed away on Monday, Feb. 15, 2010. Raised in Elizabeth City, Kramer lived most of his adult life in Greensboro, but in recent years had spent considerable time in his hometown of Elizabeth City. He was a 1961 graduate of the Duke University College of Engineering where he was a member of Theta Chi fraternity, and a 1967 graduate of the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill Graduate School of Business Administration. He was a Registered Professional Engineer and worked in Greensboro as a civil engineer. He served four years on active duty in the U.S. Navy and in the Reserves attained the rank of Captain. Service highlights included command at sea assignments aboard USS Shrike (MSO 201) and USS Fearless (MSO 442) as well as an active duty tour with US Central Command in 1987 advising on mine counter measures in the Persian Gulf. Other qualifications attained include Surface Warfare Officer and Navy/Marine Corps Parachutist. As a reservist, Captain Kramer served as President of the Greensboro chapter of the Reserve Officers Association. Captain Kramer is part of a Naval tradition that includes his late father, Lieutenant J.P. Kramer Jr., USN-Retired, his son, Lieutenant Joseph P. Kramer IV, USNR and his daughter Commander Rachel K. Lawrence, USNR. As a civilian pilot and certified flight instructor, Kramer enjoyed flying his sea plane and sharing his hobby with others as well as serving in the Civil Air Patrol. He was a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Naval Mine Warfare Association, a past president of the sport parachute club Liberty Skydivers, and a volunteer driver for Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Kramer proudly made a parachute jump on his 65th birthday and obtained his scuba qualification shortly thereafter. Kramer recently took great joy serving as a drawbridge operator in Elizabeth City and was featured as such on the WRAL Tar Heel Traveler. He also had worked with the NC Ferry System and continued his father's tradition of greeting boaters as part of the Rose Buddies. Joe was always ready to extend a helping hand to one and all, and loved nothing better than to apply his cool head to a good crisis. "His strength was as the strength of ten because his heart was pure." Survivors include son, Joseph P. Kramer IV and his wife, Ruth, of Roswell, Ga.; daughter, Rachel Kramer Lawrence and her husband, Jack, of Alexandria, Va. He is also survived by three grandchildren (Caroline, Perry, Alexandra); a grandson expected in April, as well as his former wife, Joan H. Kramer; and cousin, Betty Kramer Smith, both of Greensboro. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010 at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Old Hollywood Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday, Feb. 19 from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Twiford's Memorial Chapel. Twiford's Funeral Home, Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, is assisting the Kramer family. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.twifordfh.com.