Karl Keith Kramer, of Friedensburg, PA, passed away on Friday, November 24, 2017 at the age of 69, due to complications from pancreatic cancer.

Born on June 29, 1948, in Pottsville, PA, he was the son of Milton "Snap" Kramer and Catherine Carson Allen. Karl was a lifelong resident of Schuylkill County and lived his childhood in Auburn, PA. He married his high school sweetheart, the former Susan Jean Bazar, on July 18, 1970. They lived in Cressona, Orwigsburg, and finally Friedensburg, PA.

Karl attended Blue Mountain High School, graduating in 1966. He then went on to Bloomsburg State College where he met his roommate, best man, and lifelong friend, Bob Mull. He graduated in 1970 with a Secondary Education Degree in Speech and English. He was an English and Speech teacher in the Blue Mountain School District from 1970-1981. He was also the yearbook advisor for many years, which he enjoyed immensely. It was through the yearbook that he developed an interest in photography and developed a business, called Karl's Kamera, to supplement his teaching income. He photographed many weddings in the area and perfected his skills on family every chance he had. Karl became a licensed real estate agent and broker in 1980. He was a licensed Pennsylvania Certified Broker for the last 10 years. After leaving the teaching profession for real estate in the 80's he started PineBrook Realty and was one of the main developers of the PineBrook Development in Orwigsburg, PA. Karl created, developed, managed, and performed services as Broker of Record for several real estate companies, including PineBrook Realty, Prudential PineBrook Realty, Prudential-PineBrook Higgins Realty, and finally, Kramer Realty Professionals. He was directly involved in real estate, sales, property management, construction (both residential and commercial), real estate brokerage, and industrial development corporations for more than 35 years.  He was a member of the Professional Investors Group (PIG) trio and owned and continued to operate, up until his death, Brookside Court Properties – a residential construction business dealing with single family and multi-family construction. For 25 years he served as a general partner for a utility company that owned and operated water and sewer projects that served in excess of 500 customers.

Karl was very active in the community, serving on several boards of directors for local organizations. Those organizations include the Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO), Schuylkill County Industrial Development Authority (SCIDA), Schuylkill County Redevelopment Authority, Schuylkill County Economic Education Advisory Board, Blue Mountain Eagle Education Foundation, the Literacy Council for Schuylkill County, and the Blue Mountain Eagle Alumni Association.

Karl's favorite place in the world to visit was Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. Many family vacations were spent there each summer and he passed on this love to his children and grandchildren as well. He planned the perfect route to see everything there was to see in each park and it was expected that the family was first at the rope when the park opened in the morning. These vacations were cherished by the entire family. One of the last things Karl heard before slipping away was the original music from the Electric Light Parade. Karl was also an avid golfer and one of the highlights of his life was being able to twice attend the Masters Tournament with his good friend Bob Allen. Later in life, Karl developed a love for Koi fish, stocking a large pond on his property with the fish who have grown to immense size. All have names (Goldilocks, GoldFinger, Golda Meir, Goldschlager, etc…) and come when called to be fed each night. Karl and Susie's most recent favorite spot was The Villages, FL. They were just beginning to enjoy semi-retirement and spent a month there last winter with great friends, enjoying the warm weather, restaurants, golf, and activities and were looking forward to returning there each winter and live the snowbird life.

Karl is survived by his wife, Susan Jean Kramer (formerly Bazar), of Schuylkill Haven; son Christopher and wife Julie, of Buffalo, NY; daughter Amy Anderson and husband Anthony, and grandchildren Piper and Paisley, of West Fargo, ND; sister Susie Carter and husband Everett, of Brevard, NC; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Milton "Snap" Kramer; mother, Catherine Allen; father-in-law, Andrew C. Bazar; and mother-in-law Jean Bazar.

At Karl's request, no services will be held. He will be cremated and his ashes spread on the pond at his beloved farm in Friedensburg, PA.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations in Karl's name be made to the Eagle Foundation of the Blue Mountain School District at 45 Wilder Street, Cressona, PA 17929. www.bluemteaglefdn.org