Terry Krammes

Therold E. (Terry) Krammes of Mechanicsburg, PA, passed away on Saturday, July 11, 2020 at Vibralife, Mechanicsburg. He was the son of Ira and Verna (Miller) Krammes and was born December 29, 1931 at the family home in Cressona PA.  In June 1957, Terry married his “Gem” and “Blue Eyes,” girl, Ann Hepler.  They recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary.

Terry served in the US Navy during the Korean War aboard the USS Oriskany as an aerographers mate.  He enjoyed sharing stories of being aboard the first aircraft carrier to round the tip of Cape Horn, South America because it was too large to navigate the Panama Canal.  The Oriskany had a wooden flight deck and he loved to talk about his enlistment in the Navy as a time of wooden ships and iron men.

Terry graduated from Kutztown State Teacher’s College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC.  He was a bureau director for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources (DER) and retired with 30 years of service.  Terry spent his retirement pursuing his lifelong passion on the golf course.  He enjoyed golfing with his wife, his regular foursome and a traveling DER group.  He achieved two holes in one.  His other claim to fame was a 299 score in his bowling league.  The missed pin sits on display in the family rec room.

Terry was an active member of the church throughout his life, both at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church of Mechanicsburg and more recently at St. Timothy Lutheran Church of Camp Hill.  An avid reader and researcher of the Bible and religion, he spent many hours preparing to lead Sunday School classes and Bible Study group lessons held at member’s homes.  Terry looked forward to going to heaven at the end of his journey and life’s work here.  A few days before his death, he shared with the family, “I’m ready for the next act.” Terry sought to instill in his children a love of God, a love of country, a love of nature, a strong work ethic and a sense of personal responsibility.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Lori Krammes and his son, Jeff Krammes (Jennifer).  Terry cherished his granddaughters, Jessica Kirkland (Tarry), Kelly Krammes (Bucky) and Tyler Draxton (Joe) and great-granddaughters, Channing and Brinson Kirkland.  He is also survived by a brother, Clarence (Rose) and sister, Charlotte Wookey (Fred) and many nieces and nephews. Terry was preceded in death by his siblings: Ira, Kermit, Mervin (Bud) and Helen.

Our family offers our sincerest thanks and gratitude to Homeland Hospice and Home Instead for guiding us through this difficult time, and to his primary physician, Dr. Harry Sahi, who provided excellent care for our father during this difficult pandemic.  Due to the pandemic, services will be held at St. Timothy Lutheran Church for the immediate family only.  Burial will be at Rolling Green Cemetery in Camp Hill. Memorial contributions in Terry’s memory may be made to Homeland Hospice, 2300 Vartan Way #270, Harrisburg, PA 17110.