Dr. Dale L. Cramer

Dr. Dale L. Cramer, age 91, of Tuscaloosa, passed away September 4, 2015, at Hospice of West Alabama. Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, September 8, 2015, at Forest Lake United Methodist Church with Pastors Melody Traylor and Kevin Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Gardens with Memory Chapel Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing. Visitation will be one hour and a half prior to services at the church.Dr. Cramer is survived by his wife of 69 years, Mrs. Jeana Cramer; a daughter, Becky McCarn (Ken) of Charlotte, NC; two sons, Craig (Kathleen) of Tuscaloosa and Randy (Cathy) of Birmingham; a brother, John Cramer (Elaine) of Dixon, IL; grandchildren, Jennifer Paller (Matt) of Mableton, GA; Kate Cramer of Nashville, TN; Meredith Baxter (Coe) of Tuscaloosa; Anna Wilson (Walter) of Birmingham; and Scott Cramer of San Diego, CA; great-grandchildren, Dylan Paller and Wyatt Paller of Mableton, GA ; Hudson Baxter of Tuscaloosa; and Jackson Wilson of Birmingham; step grandchildren James Randall (Cindy) of Birmingham; John Randall (Meagan) of Tuscaloosa; and Mary Margaret Randall of Nashville, TN; step great-grandchildren Eva and Lucas Randall of Tuscaloosa; a niece, Sue Rocheleau of Chicago, IL; a nephew, John Cramer Jr. of Herrin, IL; a sister in law, Myrtle Bond of Philomath, OR; and several other relatives. Dale was born June 25, 1924 to Ray and Rebecca Cramer in Dixon, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents. Dale, Professor Emeritus of Economics, at the University of Alabama, was educated at Bradley University and The Louisiana State University. He was the recipient of fellowships and assistantships and holder of the National Earhart Foundation Fellowship in Economics. He served as chairman of the Department of Economics at the University of Alabama during the years 1968-1972 and as acting head of the Department of Economics, Finance and Legal Studies from 1981 to 1983. He was inducted into the University of Alabama's College of Commerce and Business Administration Hall of Fame in 1997. Dr. Cramer was author and co-author of books, refereed articles and book reviews, and presented papers at annual conferences and professional meetings, including those at the University of Chicago, Colombia, Duke, Harvard and Virginia. He was a member of professional and academic associations and societies, and is listed in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the World, and Alabama Lives, among other listings. Dale served as Vice-Chairman of the University Council (later named the Faculty Senate); University Commencement Marshal; and president of American Association of University Professors, University of Alabama Chapter. He served also as chairman or member on a large number of university, college, and departmental committees, some after his retirement in 1988.Professor Cramer was a long time Kiwanian, former president of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Tuscaloosa and divisional Lt. Governor. He enjoyed church activities and working on community projects. A devoted member Of Forest Lake United Methodist Church, he served on the Administrative Board, the Administrative Council, various committees, and taught Sunday school classes. Dale served in the United States Army during World War II with duty in the European Theater. Dale loved St. Louis Cardinals baseball, Alabama football, reading, gardening, exercising, ballroom dancing and above all, he loved his beautiful wife Jeana since he was 15 years old. He was actively involved in the lives of his children and grandchildren. He was a kind, devoted, and loving man and his family was most blessed for having him. He was loved and adored not only by his family but by people who he touched throughout his life. We praise God for his beautiful life and our privilege and opportunity to have shared it with him. Active pallbearers will be John Barker, Coe Baxter, Scott Cramer, Matt Paller, James Randall, John Randall, and Walter Wilson. Honorary pallbearers are the faculty of the College of Commerce & Business Administration of the University of Alabama, The Koinonia Sunday School class of the Forest Lake United Methodist Church, members of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Tuscaloosa, Murphy Judice, John and Martha Powell, Dr. James Robinson, Alan and Emma Wadsworth, and Jimmy and Clara Warren. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Forest Lake United Methodist Church, Hospice of West Alabama, or a favorite charity.