Charles "Spud" Kramer

Charles "Spud" Kramer, 78, of Pasadena, who was a devoted husband, father and friend to many, died Thursday, September 27, 2012 after a lengthy illness.

"Spud," the nickname as he was best known by among family and friends, was born on April 26, 1934 in Freeport, Texas. He graduated from Brazosport High School in 1953 and was a standout on the football team, where he earned All-District honors. His football talents carried him to Blinn Junior College, where he was the starting center for the Buccaneers.

While in high school, Spud met his wife of more than 50 years, Doris. When he returned from two years at Blinn, they were married and Spud took a job with Freeport Sulphur Company. After the birth of their first daughter, Kay, they moved to New Orleans, La. where Spud worked on offshore oil platforms. During their time in New Orleans, their second daughter, Debbie was born and they moved to Baytown in 1966 when Spud accepted a job at one of the largest refineries on the Houston Ship Channel, Ethyl Corporation.

Spud started as an apprentice in the Maintenance Department at Ethyl and worked his way up into the managerial ranks. He eventually became Maintenance Superintendent, a position he held until his retirement in 1999. He worked for Ethyl, which became Albemarle Corporation for 39 years.

Not long after the move to Baytown, another daughter, Lou Ann was born and eventually a son, Mark. Spud made many friends in Baytown and also sold cars as a "hobby" in his spare time at Neal Dickens Motor Company.

Hard work was something that Spud believed in and he passed those values along to his three children. He enjoyed taking care of his yard and tackling a variety of home or auto-related projects.

Spud enjoyed spending time with his wife Doris, attending many Ethyl-related functions and dances at the Baytown Shrine Club. He enjoyed watching Kay and Debbie participate in dance as children, then in their teenage years, being a part of the Robert E. Lee High School Brigadiers drum and bugle corps. He also loved seeing Lou Ann play volleyball and watching Mark play football and baseball.

Upon Spud's retirement, he and Doris moved to Pasadena and were able to be closer to Kay, Debbie, Lou Ann, Mark and their grandchildren. He became active in the Ethyl Retirees Club and was a Board Member of the Baywood Oaks Homeowners Association. In addition, he was heavily active as a member of First United Methodist Church of La Porte.

Spud was an active member of the Baytown Shrine Club and enjoyed working at their famous Oyster Fry events during the year. He was also a member of Goose Creek Masonic Lodge No. 1192.

Spud is preceded in death by his wife, Doris; daughter Debbie Sherry; brother Ron Kramer; parents Adair and John Charles "Buster" Kramer. Survivors include daughters and daughters and sons-in-law Kay and Jay Smith of Clear Lake, Lou Ann and Doug Martin of La Porte, and also son and daughter-in-law Mark and Stephanie Kramer of La Porte.

In addition, Spud is survived by grandsons Lee Martin of La Porte, C.J. Martin of Austin, granddaughter Ivy Kramer of La Porte, and granddaughter Amanda Zammit and husband Brent of Bellingham, Wash. and granddaughter Kasie Sherry of Bellingham, Wash. Three great-grandsons, True, Eden and Jackson Zammit, son-in-law Greg Sherry, sister-in-law Merla Kramer, nephews Kyle Kramer and wife Jane and their children Olivia and Phillip, and Scott Kramer and wife Clare also survive

The family will welcome friends during visitation from 6-8 p.m., Monday, October 1, 2012 at Paul U. Lee Funeral Home in La Porte, 201 S. Third. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at First United Methodist Church of La Porte, 9601 West Fairmont Parkway. Honorary Pallbearers will be Gary Armer Sr., Bob Griffin, John Roper, Harvey Pitre, Buddy Wilson and Bo Holliday. Serving as Pallbearers are Greg Sherry, Scott Kramer, Kyle Kramer and Charles Schlemmer.

A graveside service and burial will follow at Gulf Prairie Cemetery in Jones Creek.

In lieu of usual remembrances, donations can be made to Shriner's Hospitals or First United Methodist Church of La Porte.