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Forever in the Hearts They Leave Behind

Richard James Cramer “Rikk”

May 28, 1952 – June 28, 2022


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Richard James Cramer (better known as Rikk), finished his battle with ALS and left this world to be with his Heavenly Father, Tuesday June 28th, at his home in Gilbert, AZ, surrounded by his wife and children, as he had requested. Rikk was 70 years old and was a gentle, soft spoken kind soul. An amazing husband, dad, Granddad, Great-Grandpa, brother, and friend.

He worked 35 years in the automotive industry and retried as an ASE Senior and specialized technician. He was well respected and known throughout the valley for his knowledge and integrity in his field.

His lifelong love and passion were his music. He loved to sing and play guitar and had done so since a young age. Rikk had sang and played guitar in bands as a youth and for his family, friends, and neighbors as an adult. He loved doing block parties, backyard gatherings, open mic events, and of course camping adventures. His fondest memories were on his back patio singing to and with his wife Jo. He would express his love and commitment through music.

Later in life, Rikk gave his life to the Lord. His direction changed and he loved singing praise and worship and would use this tool to spread the word of God and God’s love for His children. Rikk would sing Praise and worship in parks, in court yards while waiting for family to get done with appointments, or wherever he felt inclined. Rikk was active in his home church, Central Christian Church of Gilbert, and served as a member of the baptism ministry. He was also very active in Tres Dias of Central Arizona and would serve often for this ministry. This strong group of believers became his second family and his love for this ministry and what it stood for was very important to him and his wife.

Rikk and family left McDonald, Ohio, in 1981 to Mesa, AZ. Rikk was married to his loving wife, of 45 ½ years, Jo L. Cramer. Sons, Bishop (Ri) of Elkhart IN- Justin (Cynthia) of Milwaukee WI- Daughter Kaisha (Arthur Davis) of San Tan Valley, AZ- adopted son/grandson, Sedrikk James Cramer and adopted daughter/granddaughter, Arissa (Storm)Cramer. Grandchildren, Casi, Kyle (Allissa), Xeion, Brandon (Sara), Yerikk, Alex, Austin (Wynter), Yadder, Zohadd, Arrington, and Matteo. And seven great-grandchildren. And his emotional support dog, Paris.

Rikk was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Dorothy Cramer formally of Vienna, Ohio. Rikk has three siblings, Michael Cramer (Phyllis) Double Springs, Al., Amy Mackey (William) Girard, Ohio, Thomas Cramer (Dianna) Vail, Arizona, and Brother-in-Law, Duane Jensen, Baldwin Park Calif.

PLEASE JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE RIKK’S LIFE:

Thursday September 8th 3:00

Central Christian Church

22505 E. Ocotillo Rd, Queen Creek, AZ  85142

Friends and family are welcomed back to the Cramer home to share in food and fellowship after the celebration.

Richard’s (Rikk’s) ashes will be placed in the National Military Cemetery of Arizona with Full Military Honors in a private family ceremony. Sept 9th, 2022.

Memorial contribution in Rikk’s honor can be made to The ALS Association Arizona Chapter (360 E. Coronado Rd, Suite 140, Phoenix, AZ 85004), online at www.alsaz.org or by calling the office at 602-297-3800. Help to find a cure for this terrible disease.

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15 responses to “Richard James Cramer “Rikk””

  1. Kaisha cramer says:

    He was an amazing Dad, and outstanding Grandad and a role model to all. I miss his warm smile and gentle advice. He taught me so much. I pray my actions will honor his memory.

  2. Jo Cramer says:

    He was my love , my best friend, my confidant, my husband, he was my everything. He not only loved me but showed me often that he was, in love, with me. I am so very thankful for our time together in this life we traveled together hand in hand always. We battled darkness together and we celebrated the light. We found our path to the Lord and helped each other enrich our relationship with Him. I will miss so very much, your humor, your arms around me, your quiet way of calming me down and reassuring me that we will get through anything if we just pray, and yes the love songs that you have sang to me over the 45 1/2 years we were together. I am so very blessed to have shared this time as your wife and although the end of your life was so very hard you still would smile and tell me how glad you were that I was your wife. I love you my split apart and will miss you until we are together again in paradise.

  3. Andy & Marcene Swinford says:

    Marcene and I are praying for you and you family.
    You and Rikk have always been a joy to be around you both always have a smile and beamed joy to everyone you you meet.
    We will try to come to the service. We now live in N. Phoenix.
    We love you Jo Be BLESSED.

  4. Steve & Connie Stevenson says:

    Thank you so much for sending us Rikk’s obituary. We will print and keep it. A beautiful testimony to a life cut short too soon. We will miss him greatly!

  5. Luanne Holmes says:

    I’m so sorry to hear of Rikk passing! Pat Watts let me know! I hope he didn’t suffer too much at the end! Prayers for all of you!💕🙏💕🙏

  6. Willie Chevarillo says:

    Hello Jo and Family:
    My family and I extend our warmest condolences to you and your family and prayers of comfort, strength, understanding, and peace that only comes from God. We love you and we’ll be praying! Sending love and hugs.🤍🤗

    Owen & “Willie” Chevarillo
    (Weekend #34)

  7. Lori & John LaChapelle says:

    Our friend Rikk… We know how much you and Jo loved each other and how much you loved your family. Thanks for all the good times and many songs you sang for us. Rest in peace.

  8. Michael j Fisher says:

    Rikk is such a gentle soul away from us but at home with our Lord. He was soft spoken, showing God’s love to those he encountered. He fully relied on God in his time here while he and Jo worshipped God in praise as well as stewarding the gifts they’ve been given to bring glory to God while serving His people. I can only imagine Rikk’s joy seeing Him face to face.

  9. Robert Mirrer says:

    Rest In Peace my friend, I will see you one day on the other side of the rainbow.

  10. Chuck Mount says:

    I met Rikk through Tres Dias and loved his gentle personality. I always enjoyed his involvement in praise and worship at our weekends and he loved serving others. Rikk was a good and faithful servant!

  11. Alatina ( BigAL ) Taufete’e says:

    I’m forever grateful for this great amazing man.
    Rikk Cramer a great leader, a awesome man of God. I will never forget this man and the way he was here in Earth. Rikk, you left this world but you’ve planted a solid seed of servant heart in many of us. Thank you for being who you are. Thank for loving me and my family and always supporting our ministry. There’s so much to say about this great man. Words are not enough to express this great man.
    This is not a goodbye but a see you later Rikk.

    You will be missed dearly Rikk. 🤙🏽🤙🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

    Love you always, BigAL, Penny Taufete’e and the kids.
    TAUFETE’E Ministry. 🤙🏽❤️🤙🏽

  12. Michael Moore says:

    I will always remember Rikk’s commitment to practice for the weekend and him playing guitar with my boys! A servant leader! Thanks for your example to me!

  13. Michael Moore says:

    I will always remember Rikk’s commitment to practice worship for the weekend. He also played guitar with my son’s! A true Servant Leader!

  14. Kaisha cramer says:

    My name is Kaisha Saint James Cramer. My Dad is Rikk Cramer and he gave me this unique name.
    One of the many things he blessed me with.
    And like many blessings I had questions. So I asked my Dad “how did you decide to name me this? What does it mean?” And he proceeded to tell me he had no idea what Kaisha means.
    He found in on the credits of an old star man movie and thought is was so pretty. So he decided to name me that.
    I used to want A different story, one more complex with deep hidden meaning about my future or who I was. But this was not the case.
    You see my Dad saw the beauty in the word and for him that was enough.
    He didn’t need it to be complicated with many layers.

    I grew up on Irwin Ave with my mom, dad and big brother Justin.
    Circumstance kept my oldest brother separate during my youth.
    Although I know the absence of Bishop left a hole in his heart we never felt that burden.
    He kept it to himself and poured his all into our family.
    He always made our family feel like enough.

    He built, my dad was a builder.
    He built our family, he built our home.
    He built us a better house.
    First I watched him built a fence, then a huge shed. After that they added the addition to the family room and closed the patio, extended the bathroom and eventually built a pool. He turned our humble home into the envy of the neighbors.
    And once there was no more home improvements that could be done they sold the house.
    My mom and dad went on to buy their dream home and began to build again.
    These actions taught me to take pride in what I have. That we have enough and to care for what you are blessed with.

    My Dad also taught me to trust.
    I still vaguely remember him holding me up to stand on the palm of his hands at the young age of 3.
    I felt 10 feet tall and so brave.
    And I thought “how strong my dad is.”
    When I was around 10 years old, I remember going on one of our many camping trips.
    We went camping every summer, sometimes more than once.
    I didn’t enjoy getting dirty so this was not always a fun adventure for me. But here we are camping again.
    We all went hiking down the creek to some waterfalls.
    They started small but soon we came to a long drop and I was afraid.
    I wasn’t as brave at 10 as I was at 3.
    But my Dad reassured me he wouldn’t let me go and I would be safe.
    He then lowered me down what felt like 10 feet to our neighbor Bill who caught me down below.
    There at the bottom I watched in AWE as my dad scaled down this massive cliff.
    My Dad was the strongest man in the world to me.
    He taught me to trust his word.
    He was a man of integrity.
    His word was enough.

    I remember so many weekends falling asleep to the sound of my Dad playing guitar, then mornings waking up to Dr hook on the record player and the smell of breakfast cooking.
    I would go into the kitchen and see my parents smiling and truly enjoying each others company.
    That was enough for them.
    It was simple and beautiful.
    A real example of love.
    I grew up watching my parents be in love.

    My Dad helped me understand what is means to be a Christian.
    You see I did not grow up going to church. My Dad would say “ If God is everywhere then we would be able to worship at home”. My Dad used to get so annoyed at my singy song demeanor when I would come by after church.
    He wasn’t saved until I was an adult.
    Until this one weekend up on a mountain top.
    My Dad accepted Christ as his Lord and savior. He changed that weekend.
    The light of our Lord was shining thru him. He taught me to hate the sin not the sinner. To trust in our Father.
    Faith was enough.

    My Dad was always the gentle ear I leaned on.
    He would just sit with me and listen.
    He would listen without prejudice.
    He told me; This too shall pass.
    He always reassured me that he loves me and he would always be here.
    And he was.
    Thru all the times.
    Good, bad, broken and beautiful.
    My Dad stood by my side.

    Not only did my dad stand by my side BUT he stood in the gap’s for my 3 older children.
    Sedrikk, Arissa and Arrington.
    They say only The best Dad’s get promoted to Granddad.
    THAT RINGS TRUE.

    My Dad once posted these words;

    I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

    I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

    I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

    I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

    I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

    I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

    I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

    His words were gentle and kind.
    His love was enough.

  15. Jennifer says:

    He was the kindest most genuine human I’ve ever known. He and Jo saw me into my marriage in 1993 and they were there at the end to see me out when my husband died. Before my husband died in 2018 his request was “find Rikk for me” There is forever a special place in my heart for him ♥️

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Richard James Cramer “Rikk”

May 28, 1952 – June 28, 2022


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Richard James Cramer (better known as Rikk), finished his battle with ALS and left this world to be with his Heavenly Father, Tuesday June 28th, at his home in Gilbert, AZ, surrounded by his wife and children, as he had requested. Rikk was 70 years old and was a gentle, soft spoken kind soul. An amazing husband, dad, Granddad, Great-Grandpa, brother, and friend.

He worked 35 years in the automotive industry and retried as an ASE Senior and specialized technician. He was well respected and known throughout the valley for his knowledge and integrity in his field.

His lifelong love and passion were his music. He loved to sing and play guitar and had done so since a young age. Rikk had sang and played guitar in bands as a youth and for his family, friends, and neighbors as an adult. He loved doing block parties, backyard gatherings, open mic events, and of course camping adventures. His fondest memories were on his back patio singing to and with his wife Jo. He would express his love and commitment through music.

Later in life, Rikk gave his life to the Lord. His direction changed and he loved singing praise and worship and would use this tool to spread the word of God and God’s love for His children. Rikk would sing Praise and worship in parks, in court yards while waiting for family to get done with appointments, or wherever he felt inclined. Rikk was active in his home church, Central Christian Church of Gilbert, and served as a member of the baptism ministry. He was also very active in Tres Dias of Central Arizona and would serve often for this ministry. This strong group of believers became his second family and his love for this ministry and what it stood for was very important to him and his wife.

Rikk and family left McDonald, Ohio, in 1981 to Mesa, AZ. Rikk was married to his loving wife, of 45 ½ years, Jo L. Cramer. Sons, Bishop (Ri) of Elkhart IN- Justin (Cynthia) of Milwaukee WI- Daughter Kaisha (Arthur Davis) of San Tan Valley, AZ- adopted son/grandson, Sedrikk James Cramer and adopted daughter/granddaughter, Arissa (Storm)Cramer. Grandchildren, Casi, Kyle (Allissa), Xeion, Brandon (Sara), Yerikk, Alex, Austin (Wynter), Yadder, Zohadd, Arrington, and Matteo. And seven great-grandchildren. And his emotional support dog, Paris.

Rikk was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Dorothy Cramer formally of Vienna, Ohio. Rikk has three siblings, Michael Cramer (Phyllis) Double Springs, Al., Amy Mackey (William) Girard, Ohio, Thomas Cramer (Dianna) Vail, Arizona, and Brother-in-Law, Duane Jensen, Baldwin Park Calif.

PLEASE JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE RIKK’S LIFE:

Thursday September 8th 3:00

Central Christian Church

22505 E. Ocotillo Rd, Queen Creek, AZ  85142

Friends and family are welcomed back to the Cramer home to share in food and fellowship after the celebration.

Richard’s (Rikk’s) ashes will be placed in the National Military Cemetery of Arizona with Full Military Honors in a private family ceremony. Sept 9th, 2022.

Memorial contribution in Rikk’s honor can be made to The ALS Association Arizona Chapter (360 E. Coronado Rd, Suite 140, Phoenix, AZ 85004), online at www.alsaz.org or by calling the office at 602-297-3800. Help to find a cure for this terrible disease.

Share Obituary:

Send Flowers Print Obituary

15 responses to “Richard James Cramer “Rikk””

  1. Kaisha cramer says:

    He was an amazing Dad, and outstanding Grandad and a role model to all. I miss his warm smile and gentle advice. He taught me so much. I pray my actions will honor his memory.

  2. Jo Cramer says:

    He was my love , my best friend, my confidant, my husband, he was my everything. He not only loved me but showed me often that he was, in love, with me. I am so very thankful for our time together in this life we traveled together hand in hand always. We battled darkness together and we celebrated the light. We found our path to the Lord and helped each other enrich our relationship with Him. I will miss so very much, your humor, your arms around me, your quiet way of calming me down and reassuring me that we will get through anything if we just pray, and yes the love songs that you have sang to me over the 45 1/2 years we were together. I am so very blessed to have shared this time as your wife and although the end of your life was so very hard you still would smile and tell me how glad you were that I was your wife. I love you my split apart and will miss you until we are together again in paradise.

  3. Andy & Marcene Swinford says:

    Marcene and I are praying for you and you family.
    You and Rikk have always been a joy to be around you both always have a smile and beamed joy to everyone you you meet.
    We will try to come to the service. We now live in N. Phoenix.
    We love you Jo Be BLESSED.

  4. Steve & Connie Stevenson says:

    Thank you so much for sending us Rikk’s obituary. We will print and keep it. A beautiful testimony to a life cut short too soon. We will miss him greatly!

  5. Luanne Holmes says:

    I’m so sorry to hear of Rikk passing! Pat Watts let me know! I hope he didn’t suffer too much at the end! Prayers for all of you!💕🙏💕🙏

  6. Willie Chevarillo says:

    Hello Jo and Family:
    My family and I extend our warmest condolences to you and your family and prayers of comfort, strength, understanding, and peace that only comes from God. We love you and we’ll be praying! Sending love and hugs.🤍🤗

    Owen & “Willie” Chevarillo
    (Weekend #34)

  7. Lori & John LaChapelle says:

    Our friend Rikk… We know how much you and Jo loved each other and how much you loved your family. Thanks for all the good times and many songs you sang for us. Rest in peace.

  8. Michael j Fisher says:

    Rikk is such a gentle soul away from us but at home with our Lord. He was soft spoken, showing God’s love to those he encountered. He fully relied on God in his time here while he and Jo worshipped God in praise as well as stewarding the gifts they’ve been given to bring glory to God while serving His people. I can only imagine Rikk’s joy seeing Him face to face.

  9. Robert Mirrer says:

    Rest In Peace my friend, I will see you one day on the other side of the rainbow.

  10. Chuck Mount says:

    I met Rikk through Tres Dias and loved his gentle personality. I always enjoyed his involvement in praise and worship at our weekends and he loved serving others. Rikk was a good and faithful servant!

  11. Alatina ( BigAL ) Taufete’e says:

    I’m forever grateful for this great amazing man.
    Rikk Cramer a great leader, a awesome man of God. I will never forget this man and the way he was here in Earth. Rikk, you left this world but you’ve planted a solid seed of servant heart in many of us. Thank you for being who you are. Thank for loving me and my family and always supporting our ministry. There’s so much to say about this great man. Words are not enough to express this great man.
    This is not a goodbye but a see you later Rikk.

    You will be missed dearly Rikk. 🤙🏽🤙🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

    Love you always, BigAL, Penny Taufete’e and the kids.
    TAUFETE’E Ministry. 🤙🏽❤️🤙🏽

  12. Michael Moore says:

    I will always remember Rikk’s commitment to practice for the weekend and him playing guitar with my boys! A servant leader! Thanks for your example to me!

  13. Michael Moore says:

    I will always remember Rikk’s commitment to practice worship for the weekend. He also played guitar with my son’s! A true Servant Leader!

  14. Kaisha cramer says:

    My name is Kaisha Saint James Cramer. My Dad is Rikk Cramer and he gave me this unique name.
    One of the many things he blessed me with.
    And like many blessings I had questions. So I asked my Dad “how did you decide to name me this? What does it mean?” And he proceeded to tell me he had no idea what Kaisha means.
    He found in on the credits of an old star man movie and thought is was so pretty. So he decided to name me that.
    I used to want A different story, one more complex with deep hidden meaning about my future or who I was. But this was not the case.
    You see my Dad saw the beauty in the word and for him that was enough.
    He didn’t need it to be complicated with many layers.

    I grew up on Irwin Ave with my mom, dad and big brother Justin.
    Circumstance kept my oldest brother separate during my youth.
    Although I know the absence of Bishop left a hole in his heart we never felt that burden.
    He kept it to himself and poured his all into our family.
    He always made our family feel like enough.

    He built, my dad was a builder.
    He built our family, he built our home.
    He built us a better house.
    First I watched him built a fence, then a huge shed. After that they added the addition to the family room and closed the patio, extended the bathroom and eventually built a pool. He turned our humble home into the envy of the neighbors.
    And once there was no more home improvements that could be done they sold the house.
    My mom and dad went on to buy their dream home and began to build again.
    These actions taught me to take pride in what I have. That we have enough and to care for what you are blessed with.

    My Dad also taught me to trust.
    I still vaguely remember him holding me up to stand on the palm of his hands at the young age of 3.
    I felt 10 feet tall and so brave.
    And I thought “how strong my dad is.”
    When I was around 10 years old, I remember going on one of our many camping trips.
    We went camping every summer, sometimes more than once.
    I didn’t enjoy getting dirty so this was not always a fun adventure for me. But here we are camping again.
    We all went hiking down the creek to some waterfalls.
    They started small but soon we came to a long drop and I was afraid.
    I wasn’t as brave at 10 as I was at 3.
    But my Dad reassured me he wouldn’t let me go and I would be safe.
    He then lowered me down what felt like 10 feet to our neighbor Bill who caught me down below.
    There at the bottom I watched in AWE as my dad scaled down this massive cliff.
    My Dad was the strongest man in the world to me.
    He taught me to trust his word.
    He was a man of integrity.
    His word was enough.

    I remember so many weekends falling asleep to the sound of my Dad playing guitar, then mornings waking up to Dr hook on the record player and the smell of breakfast cooking.
    I would go into the kitchen and see my parents smiling and truly enjoying each others company.
    That was enough for them.
    It was simple and beautiful.
    A real example of love.
    I grew up watching my parents be in love.

    My Dad helped me understand what is means to be a Christian.
    You see I did not grow up going to church. My Dad would say “ If God is everywhere then we would be able to worship at home”. My Dad used to get so annoyed at my singy song demeanor when I would come by after church.
    He wasn’t saved until I was an adult.
    Until this one weekend up on a mountain top.
    My Dad accepted Christ as his Lord and savior. He changed that weekend.
    The light of our Lord was shining thru him. He taught me to hate the sin not the sinner. To trust in our Father.
    Faith was enough.

    My Dad was always the gentle ear I leaned on.
    He would just sit with me and listen.
    He would listen without prejudice.
    He told me; This too shall pass.
    He always reassured me that he loves me and he would always be here.
    And he was.
    Thru all the times.
    Good, bad, broken and beautiful.
    My Dad stood by my side.

    Not only did my dad stand by my side BUT he stood in the gap’s for my 3 older children.
    Sedrikk, Arissa and Arrington.
    They say only The best Dad’s get promoted to Granddad.
    THAT RINGS TRUE.

    My Dad once posted these words;

    I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

    I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

    I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

    I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

    I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

    I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

    I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

    His words were gentle and kind.
    His love was enough.

  15. Jennifer says:

    He was the kindest most genuine human I’ve ever known. He and Jo saw me into my marriage in 1993 and they were there at the end to see me out when my husband died. Before my husband died in 2018 his request was “find Rikk for me” There is forever a special place in my heart for him ♥️

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