Myron S. Cramer passed away peacefully on Feb. 15, 2021. Born in Kansas City, Kansas, on Aug. 30, 1937, Myron lived a life of unparalleled, indescribable magnitude. He grew up in Kansas City, attended and graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1955 and remained in the Kansas City area for the better part of his extraordinary life.
He journeyed through an abounding career in sales and a variety of business ventures, buoyed by charisma, tenacity and a rare ability to engage with people on a level that was unmatched and just plain magical. Myron was a self-educated, self-made businessman who continued to grow throughout his career toward a full-fledged entrepreneurial success.
He never gave up. Never. Failures were not failures to Myron. They were fuel for his next idea, his next venture. In the late 1980s all Myron’s expertise and experience culminated in establishing and growing a prosperous construction and real estate business with his longtime partner and friend Elden Dilks.
Throughout his life, one of Myron’s true loves was photography and an even truer love was helping others. Combining these two great passions, he created Photos of Love, a non-profit organization supported by US Construction, and brought to life a mission dedicated to providing photos and so much more to many charities and the populations they served including Kansas Special Olympics, Operation Breakthrough, ALS Association and so many more.
Even prior to and outside the parameters of his passion and contributions with the charities, Myron led a life guided by the principal of “Don’t ever forget those who are forgotten.” This translated to a million and one acts of pure and ceaseless benevolence for others. Myron’s giving soul extended to all in need and across all generations and types; however, his compassion and love of children was incomparable.
Myron had the power to make someone’s day like no other. If you met him out at the restaurant, at a special event, at the mailbox, at the car wash or in the office, you were at the mercy of that twinkle in his eyes and the magnanimous spirit that gifted you with love and boundless generosity. There was never an idea that was too big nor a need too great for Myron. There was never a place ventured without a friend, new or old. There was never a problem too big for fixing or a hurtle too high to overcome. Myron belonged to a lot of people — a devoted father, son, brother, uncle, grandfather; a loyal business partner and friend; someone you met in the line at the store and the next thing you know you have shared your life story and have 10 beanie babies; he was Santa without a Santa costume who made sure the kids had coats, shoes, warm clothing and a photo with Santa; he was the one you called at 3 a.m. without hesitation because you knew he would listen and care and help make things better. It’s impossible to try to capture all of whom Myron Cramer was to everyone. He was a larger than life, one of a kind, gift. Thank you, Myron Cramer, for the gift of you.
He was predeceased by his parents, Charlie and Ruth Cramer. Survivors include his brother Donald Cramer and sister Jo Beth Knudson; five children, Craig, Tracey, Jason, Jon and Joanna Cramer; and eight grandchildren, Tiffany Heath, Natalie Hunter, Tyson, Justin, Charlie, Misaki, Minami and Sam Cramer.
Private services were held on Feb. 23, 2021, at Mount Moriah Newcomer and Freeman funeral home. The service can be accessed for viewing through the Mount Moriah Facebook page. For the past 20-plus years, Myron insisted that in lieu of birthday or father’s day gifts, donations be made to one of his beloved charities, so in honor of this and who he was, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, charitable donations be made to either Kansas Special Olympics at ksso.org/individualgiving/ or Operation Breakthrough at operationbreakthrough.org/.
