Woodrow M. "Woody" Kramer

Woodrow M. "Woody" Kramer, 92, of Hutchinson, Kan., died Sept. 15, 2011, at Elm Grove Estates in Hutchinson. Woody was born Dec. 10, 1918, at Fort Scott, the son of William and Gertrude Payne Kramer. He graduated from Olathe High School in 1936, Fort Scott Junior College and Pittsburg State Teachers College. He later received his master's degree in education at the University of Missouri, and an education specialist degree from Wichita State University. Woody moved to Hutchinson in 1946 as biology teacher and head track coach at the high school and also was an assistant in football and basketball.

In 1956, he became the athletic director, along with his teaching and coaching duties. He became full-time athletic director in 1975, and held that position until he retired in 1984. He spent a total of 39 years at Hutchinson High School. He also served for many years as the manager of the Kansas State High School Activities Association 3-A State Basketball Tournament, held every year in Hutchinson.

Woody was a member of the First Christian Church, where he was a founding member and longtime "temporary" teacher of Vota Vita Sunday school class; the Hutchinson Lions Club; a lifetime member of both the Kansas and National Education Association; the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, and was awarded the association's Distinguished Service Award in 1981. He was elected to the Kansas State High School Activities Association Hall of Fame in 1991, and was inducted into the Fort Scott Community College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991. Woody was a founding member of Hutchinson Area Retired School Personnel Association and a member of the Kansas Association of Retired School Personnel. He was also awarded a Melvin Jones Fellowship, through Lions Club, in July 2011.

Woody married Virginia E. Brumback on Dec. 31, 1938, in Ottawa. She died June 20, 2004. Survivors include a daughter, Bobette Siemens and her husband, Jim, Hutchinson; a grandson, Kramer Siemens, Hutchinson; a granddaughter, April Menzies, Longmont, Colo.; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by five brothers and three sisters.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Monday, Sept. 19, at First Christian Church in Hutchinson, with the Revs. Jim Bell and Melvin Walton officiating. Interment will be 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 20, at Gardner Township Cemetery at Gardner, Kan. Visitation will be Saturday, 1-9 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m.-9 p.m., with the family greeting friends Sunday, 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m., all at Elliott Mortuary. Memorial contributions can be given to the Woodrow M. "Woody" Kramer Memorial Scholarship Fund, sent in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Friends may visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave the family condolence.