James "Jim" Arthur Cramer

James (Jim) A. Cramer passed away in his sleep November 28, 2025 at the age of 85.  He was born November 17, 1940 in Muskegon, Michigan and was raised by his maternal grandfather, Henry Frost.

After graduating from Muskegon High School and a short employment with the Muskegon Chronicle, Jim enlisted in the United States Navy.  He completed Boot Camp at Great Lakes Naval Station, Illinois and having shown an aptitude for languages was assigned to the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California.  

On February 20, 1960 Jim married his high school sweetheart, Carole Lea (Nixon) Cramer.  They returned to Monterey where he studied Serbian-Croatian in 1960 and returned again in 1969 to study Russian. 

Jim and Carole traveled all around the world as their family grew.  Their oldest son, James (Jim) Jr, was born in California in 1960, their daughter Kelly was born in Maryland in 1962, son Jeff, was born in Scotland in 1964.  The youngest son, Chris, was born in Fremont, Michigan while the family was moving from California to Maryland.

Jim’s career also took the family to Spain and Guam.  He retired from his last duty station at the National Security Agency in Ft. Meade, Maryland in 1978, moving his family to Fremont, Michigan, to be close to the extended family. 

Jim began a second 20 year career with Gerber Products Company working as a Senior Analyst Programmer in the IT Department, retiring in 1998. 

Jim was always active in his community wherever he was.  He was a Cub Scout Cubmaster, Little League Baseball Commissioner, Coach, Umpire, Tutor and an Announcer.  Whatever he did, he did wholeheartedly and with unbridled enthusiasm.

Family was always the most important thing in Jim’s life.  Jim is survived by his wife, the love of his life, Carole; 4 children: Jim Jr (Anita), Kelly, Jeff (Yvonne) and Chris (Trish); 10 grandchildren: Nik, Haleigh (Hunter), Quin (Sara), Samantha (Alex), Justin, Emily (Austin), Noah (Brenna), Brady (Hailey), Noelle (Seth), and Troy; 14 great grandchildren with 2 more on the way:  Howl, Salem, Finnegan, Imogen, Eowyn, Reeselyn, Eli, Taylor, Kaitlyn (Zach), Lennon, Olivia, Maeve, Owen, and Elisabeth; 1 great-great grandchild: Damien.

In keeping with his wishes, Jim will be cremated and have his ashes placed in an urn with the U.S. Navy emblem.  Visitation will be at Kroeze-Wolffis Funeral Home  from 12p to 2 pm on Thursday, December 4, 2025.  Military honors will be rendered at 2pm immediately following the visitation.  All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Heartland Hospice.

You can sign the online guestbook at: www.kroeze-wolffis.com. Arrangements are by Kroeze-Wolffis Funeral Home, Inc. of Fremont.

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