Stan Cramer, 1925-2012

Those of you who have spent much time working in Orange County history will undoubtedly know one of our best historians, Esther Cramer, and quite possibly her husband, Stan, who was also involved in a number of local historical organizations. Stan is seen in the photo above, sitting between Esther (left) and Margrit Kendrick (right) at a Hispanic heritage symposium in 2004.

I'm sad to report that Stan passed away last month. The following is his obituary, from the Register:

     Stanley Edward Cramer passed away Saturday, January 7, 2012 at the age of 86 with his wife of 63 years, Esther, at his side. A native of North Orange County he was born in Fullerton on July 29, 1925 to Hattie and George Cramer.
     Stan grew up in Fullerton and was captain of Fullerton High School's 1943 CIF Championship basketball team. He was also a star of the football team and the 220 runner on the track team.
     Drafted upon graduation, he joined the U.S. Army and was sent off to basic training in Mississippi. The Army sent him to the Ruhr in Germany as a sergeant and machine gun squad leader where he and his squad were involved in many intense battles.
     At the end of the war, the Army assigned him to play football and basketball for the 407th Infantry division known as the Ozarks. In 1945 he was named Football Player of the Year for the European Theater of Operation.
     After he was discharged from the Army, USC invited Stan to play football and basketball. He played freshman football and basketball and played left end on the varsity football squads of '47, '48, and '49 which included playing in the 1948 Rose Bowl Game. While at USC he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity.
     Stan graduated from USC in 1950 with a Bachelor's degree and went on to earn a Master of Arts degree. He coached with Bob Blackman at Pasadena City College and he taught and coached at Whittier High School, California High School and Cerritos College. Mount San Antonio College hired Stan as head football coach of the Mounties and he coached there for a number of years. Eventually Stan moved into the counseling department at Mt. SAC and became the Dean of Guidance and Counseling at the junior college.
     When not on the football field with his players or in the film room with his coaches preparing for a game, Stan could be found fishing in the Sierras or in Baja California. A committed Christian from his youth, he was very active in his church, La Habra Untied Methodist. He was involved in the La Habra Kiwanis as they raised funds to support local schools and students.
     Stan and his wife, Esther traveled to all corners of the world and to every continent, but they always returned home to La Habra, and the friends they had acquired since childhood.
     Stan is survived by his wife Esther, his daughters, Cynthia Freeman, Melinda (Ward) Ching, and Janet Buddle and their children, Bri and David Freeman, Christopher and Andrew Ching, Patrick Esguerra and Chanel Brooks.
     A private family burial has already taken place at Rose Hills Memorial Park. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m Saturday, February 25, at La Habra United Methodist Church.
     In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Stan's name to The La Habra Historical Museum or the La Habra United Methodist Church.

The Cramers have long been a very important part of our historical community in Orange County. Stan will be missed and Esther, of course, continues to be in our thoughts and prayers.