RODNEY KEITH CRAMER

Rodney "Rod" Keith Cramer, 49, passed peacefully in Kansas City, KS, on Nov. 13, 2012 as a result of complications with his treatment of leukemia. He was born in Macomb, IL, on July 21, 1963. A celebration of life will be at 3:00 PM on March 3, 2013 at the Kansas City Central SDA Church, 14651 Peterson Road, Kansas City, MO, 64149. Rod lived a full life and was a devoted husband, son and friend to many. He loved people and liked sharing memories of his many experiences in life. Rod never met a stranger. Born the only child of Jean Doty, he came to Kansas in 1968 and graduated from Shawnee Mission Northwest High School in 1982. Rod was a worker; he began working in a local grocery at the age of 14, then to other jobs before beginning a long and distinguished career at Black and Veatch Engineering Company, lasting for 28 years and culminating in being named Fleet Manager for the company. Rod loved his hobbies, golf, motorcycling and smoking meats. For over twenty years Rod developed his craft as a smoker of fine meats. After becoming a certified judge, Rod judged at the Greater Lenexa Barbeque Contest for 25 years. His passion for this style of cooking resulted in the formation of his own competitive team that went under the banner of 'Cramerque'. In just five short years on the competitive circuit, Rod distinguished himself as one of the finest smokers in the region, winning numerous awards for his cooking. Rod's biggest dream of competing in the American Royal Barbeque Contest was realized two years ago in 2011. Following his diagnosis of leukemia in September of 2012 he was unable to compete, and the American Royal honored Rod by not reassigning the 'Cramerque' space for the 2012 contest. Rod was active in many of his professional organizations, including having been treasurer, president and past- president of the North American Fleet Association, and an associate of Enterprise Leasing. Rod was a long time member of the Barbeque Society of Kansas City and a member of the traveling Operation Barbeque Relief Team that provided meals for hundreds of persons in May of 2011 when the killer tornado devastated Joplin. This experience was a highlight of Rod's life: Rod always took care of others before thinking of himself. His compassion for his fellow man was unmatched. Rod is survived by his wife Sherry of Raymore, MO, a brother, William, sister, Linda Dye, sister, Donna Biggs, sister, Debbie Biggs, niece Claudia, nephew Roger, nephew William III and great-nieces, Lexi Biggs, Bailey Wright and great-nephew Parker and Matty; his mother Jean Doty also of Raymore, aunt Lynn Zimmerman, Jim Zimmerman, niece Jami Zimmerman, and Pat and Donna Kramer, niece Libby Hall and nephew Jeremy Hall, Billy and Kirsten Cramer and William Biggs and Linda and Roger Dye and great nephew Tristen Holmes Dye. Rod was a loving man who cared for and loved everyone he knew. Rod will be missed by all who knew him.

ARRANGEMENTS; CULLEN FUNERAL HOME, RAYMORE, MISSOURI
(816)322-5278