Earl J. Kramer

Dec. 12, 1936-Jan. 2, 2016

Earl John Kramer died peacefully in the early morning of Jan. 2, 2016, at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer of natural causes, with his nieces, Marlene and Kathy McDonough, at his side. A celebration of Earl’s life will be held 3-6 p.m. Jan. 16, 2016, at the Down East Saloon. Bring stories you want to share.

Earl was born Dec. 12, 1936, in Green Bay, Wisc. Earl graduated from Demark High School in 1955 and served in the U.S. Navy from 1955 to 1957. He moved to Alaska 49 years ago and worked as a pile driver, building many of the docks and bridges all across Alaska. Earl moved from Anchorage to Homer in the 1980s and became a business owner of the Glacier Building, Uncle Thirsty’s Liquor Store and the Down East Saloon after retiring from pile driving.

Earl is known best by his quick wit and the best one-liners at the absolute right moment. He loved spending time with his friends telling stories. The Down East Saloon became famous for his home built pig roaster and every Fourth of July Earl fed the masses. Most holidays he provided feasts at the Down East Saloon for those who had no other place to go and to give appreciation to his customers. He was a kind and gentle man who was loved by everyone who knew him. He will be sadly missed.

Earl loved fishing, clamming, gardening, reading and of course the Green Bay Packers. He enjoyed his “Vanilla” which those of you who knew him, know what that means.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Art and Evelyn Kramer; a sister, Dolores Van Roy; and two brothers, Ben and Bob Kramer.

His remaining siblings, Chuck Kramer, Joe Kramer, Mary Baumgart, Patty Tebon and Jean Gillis, live in Wisconsin. He has many nieces and nephews and too many friends to count.

Arrangements were by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.