"Keeping The Memories Alive"

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COACH WOODY KRAMER


The cycle of life forges relentlessly onward.

My absolute favorite coach at HHS has passed away. I am glad to have known this man. He was so good to me. I hope you all feel the same way too.

Below is Coach Woody Kramer's obituary as published in The Hutchinson News on September 16, 2011:

Woodrow M. "Woody" Kramer, 92, of Hutchinson, died September 15, 2011, at Elm Grove Estates in Hutchinson.

Woody was born December 10, 1918, at Ft. Scott, the son of William and Gertrude Payne Kramer. He graduated from Olathe High School in 1936, Ft. Scott Junior College, and Pittsburg State Teachers College. He later received his masters degree in education at the University of Missouri, and an Education Specialist degree from Wichita State University. Woody moved to Hutchinson in 1946 as a biology teacher and head track coach at Hutchinson High School, and also was the assistant coach in football and basketball. In 1956, he became the athleticdirector, along with his teaching and coaching duties. He became full-time athletic director in 1975, and held that position until he retired in 1984. He spent a total of 39 years at Hutchinson High School. He also served for many years as the manager of the Kansas State High School Activities Association 3-A State Basketball Tournament held every year in Hutchinson.

Woody was a member of the First Christian Church, where he was a founding member and long-time "temporary" teacher of the Vota Vita Sunday School class; the Hutchinson Lions Club; a life-time member of both the Kansas and National Education Association; the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, and was awarded the association's Distinguished Service Award in 1981. He was elected to the Kansas State High School Activities Association Hall of Fame in 1991, and was inducted into the Ft. Scott Community College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991. Woody was a founding member of the Hutchinson Area Retired School Personnel Association (HARSPA), and a member of the Kansas Association of Retired School Personnel (KARSP). He was also awarded a Melvin Jones Fellowship through the Lions Club in July 2011.

Woody married Virginia E. Brumback on December 31, 1938, in Ottawa. She died June 20, 2004.

Survivors include: a daughter, Bobette Siemens and her husband Jim, Hutchinson; a grandson, Kramer Siemens, Hutchinson; a granddaughter, April Menzies, Longmont, Colorado; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by five brothers and three sisters.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 19, 2011, at the First Christian Church in Hutchinson, with the Rev. Jim Bell and the Rev. Melvin Walton presiding. Interment will be 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011, at Gardner Township Cemetery at Gardner, Ks. Visitation will be Saturday 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with the family greeting friends Sunday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., all at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson.

Memorial contributions can be given to the Woodrow M. "Woody" Kramer Memorial Scholarship Fund, sent in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 North Main, Hutchinson, Kansas, 67501. Visit Elliott Mortuary to leave your condolences.

Rest In Peace Coach.