Harlan Le Roy Cramer

Harlan LeRoy (Red) Cramer, 81, passed away in the Arroyo Grande Care Facility on Wednesday, July 25, 2012. Despite a lengthy illness, he maintained a sense of humor and positive attitude. Harlan was the first child of John and Christine (Dollinger) Cramer. He was born on May 27, 1931 in Hutchinson, Minnesota. He was raised in Hutchinson Minnesota with his sister Shirley Cramer (deceased) and his brother, Elro Cramer. After the loss of his father, a young Harlan was sent away during the summer to work on his uncle's farm in South Dakota to help raise money to support the family. The lessons of hard work and responsibility were ever present throughout his life. At the age of 13, the family moved to California. He made use of one the skills learned working on his uncle'?s farm: he drove the family car from Minnesota to California. Once settled in Shafter, he attended Kern Academy.When he was 19 years old, he moved to Maple Plain Minnesota. While working for his uncle, Earl Anderson, he attended Sabbath services at the Maple Plain Seventh Day Adventist Church. It was in that church, he met his future wife. In 1951, he married Elaine Carlson. Soon after, he was drafted into the United States Army. The young couple moved to Camp Pickett, VA during Harlan'?s military training.As a conscientious objector, Harlan served in the US Army Medical Corps. Upon completion of training, Harlan'?s unit was ordered into the front lines of the Korean Conflict. Through his hard work and dedication, he helped save the lives of many of his fellow soldiers.Upon discharge from the US Army in 1954, he returned to Maple Plain, Minnesota to work as a Constable.After surviving three cold winters in Minnesota, Harlan moved back to Shafter, California. Upon arrival, he found employment at Wayne'?s Dairy; delivering milk and other dairy products to families in and around Shafter.In 1972, he married Lois (West) Ross, and moved to Bakersfield, California. While living in Bakersfield, Harlan started a trucking company. His love of the open road was only matched by his love of self-employment. In the late 1980s, he continued his love of the open road through employment as a bus driver with Greyhound Bus Lines.In 1997, he moved to Pismo Beach, California. Restless after retirement from Greyhound, he found employment with Orange Belt Lines, driving the AMTRAK route from Santa Maria to Hanford.The new century saw him reunited with his first wife, Elaine. Although they did not re-marry, they became friends and life companions. Elaine provided care and comfort for him throughout the duration of the illness that claimed his life.He is survived by his brother, Elro (LaWanda), his son Stephen, two step-daughters, Lynette and Lorraine, seven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, one niece and one nephew.Sign his guest book at http://www.mem.com