Born : 04 May 1921
Date : 27 Jul 2015
Location : Plainview Cemetery, Plainview, TX
KRAMER, Nicholas William
(May 4, 1921 - July 18, 2015)
Nicholas William Kramer, formerly of Plainview, Texas passed away peacefully on July 18 2015, in Austin, Texas. A visitation with the family followed by the Rosary will be held at Kornerstone Funeral Directors in Plainview, Texas from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 26. A funeral mass will be held at St. Alice Catholic Church in Plainview at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 27, with burial to follow.
Nicholas William Kramer was born on May 4, 1921, in Burkettsville, Ohio, the eldest of fifteen children of John Nicholas Kramer and Helen Elizabeth Fink. He grew up working on his family's farm during the Great Depression and started a seed business as a freshman in high school. Following high school, Nick's mother loaned him her egg money to pay for travel to Columbus, Ohio so he could attend Ohio State University where he met and married the love of his life, Thanet Barnitz. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, and then went on to complete a PhD in Agronomy following service in World War II in the U.S. 7th Army Infantry, Special Operations in combat across France, Belgium and Germany from 1945-1946, earning the Bronze Star.
During his long and productive career, Nick pioneered breeding of hybrid grain sorghum while serving as Research Director at Paymaster Seeds, ACCO Seed, and Cargill. He also served in numerous research and leadership positions, consulting to the USDA and Texas Department of Agriculture and serving on numerous committees, including the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and the National Council of Commercial Plant Breeders. He also served as President of the Texas Certified Seed Producers and the Sorghum Improvement Conference of America.
Nick was active in the Boy Scouts of America for over 50 years in numerous capacities at the troop, council, and district levels and was the recipient of the District Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver awarded for exceptional character and distinguished service within a council.
Nick follows his beloved wife of 71 years, Thanet Kramer of Austin, and is survived by their six children and their spouses: Eric Kramer and Sara Jill Rubel of East Troy, Wisconsin; Renata and Paul Griego of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Sara and Jerry Hulcy of Sweetwater, Texas; Alexa and Robert Stuifbergen of Austin, Texas; Evan and Serena Kramer of Houston, Texas; and Emil and Susan Kramer of Davenport, Iowa. In addition, Nicholas is also survived by twelve grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren: and two great-great- grandchildren.
Nicholas Kramer was a loving father who leaves behind a legacy of scientific curiosity, service, stories, and love for all that knew him. For many, just the scent of pipe tobacco brings back fond memories of times with Nick. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten.
The family wishes to particularly thank caregivers Pamela Musgrave, Elaine Baker, and Tonya Price whose dedication and support for "Mr. K" have been a gift without measure. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78759 (www.hospiceaustin.org).
Austin American-Statesman - Jul 26, 2015
