Richard Joseph Kramer

Richard (Dick) J. Kramer went to join the love of his life on July 3, 2025. Dick was born in Atchison, KS on July 7, 1938 to Ed & Mary Kramer. They moved to Kansas City, MO in the 1940's. He graduated from Rockhurst High School in May of 1956. He served in the United States Air Force and then worked for AAA while attending Rockhurst College.

He and his wife Kathy began their life together and their Kramer Hardware partnership in Downtown Parkville in 1964. They later moved that store to Vivion Rd. In 1987 they moved their store and their family to Kearney, MO where they retired in 2014. Dick served as Vice President on the Board of Directors for Platte Clay Electric Coop. Dick was a regular guest on the Saturday morning Toby Tobin radio show for over 43 years. They raised 5 children and have 13 grandchildren.

As a business owner Dick lived by the philosophy "everything is for sale". This included our mom's brand new refrigerator when a customer came in the store asking if we sold appliances. Kathy would only find this out when she came home to all the food sitting on the counter. He gave his children a love for Chiefs football, believed a good meal (especially a steak) is worth spending the money on, and that no distance was too far to drive to support his children. His party on A highway was so legendary it's still being talked about to this day. He and Kathy loved to travel the country in their RV. Their favorite spots to stay were the National and State Parks. In their 60 years together they traveled to 49 states and 5 countries.

Being blessed with so much in life, Dick believed in paying it forward. Whether that was getting up in the middle of the night to open the store for a plumbing emergency a customer had, building a play ground for his kids elementary school or donating to a project like a new school district stadium, Dick always did so willingly. Upon retirement he spent his time volunteering at the Good Samaritan Center.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Kathy, his parents, Edward G. Kramer and Mary H. Kramer, his in-laws, William R. Ost and Patricia D. Ost, his brother Edward A. Kramer and his brother-in-law Ronald Kimmel. He is survived by his children, Kimberly Goepferich (Brian Goepferich) of Holt, MO; Jennifer Jackson of Kansas City, MO; Jill Yetter (Bryan Yetter) of Kearney, MO; Robin Cutcliff (Peter Cutcliff) of Roeland Park, KS; and Matthew Kramer (Maria Kramer) of Overland Park, KS. As well as grandchildren Drew Goepferich (Sydney), Dawson Goepferich, Landon Goepferich, Jordan Jackson (Andy), Jayme Jackson, Hailey Yetter, Emma Yetter, Joe Yetter, Liam Cutcliff, Gwen Cutcliff, Clare Cutcliff, Ashley Kramer and Riley Kramer. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Geraldine Carr (John), brother, Robert Kramer (Sharon), and sister, Mary Diane Thaemart (Steve). He is also survived by his in-laws Linda Scholdberg; Chris Gaines (Andy); and William R. Ost II, as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Good Samaritan Center in Excelsior Springs. And tonight grab your favorite cocktail, put on some Kenny Rogers and celebrate Dick Kramer, a man who lived life well!