Obituary

Obituary for Albert Anthony Kramer Jr.
Albert “Al” Anthony Kramer, Jr. passed away on Tuesday, August 16, 2022 at his home in Covington, LA. He was born on July 9, 1936 in Port Sulphur, LA to the late Albert Anthony Kramer, Sr. and Alice Mehrhoff Kramer.

In 1956, Al met the love of his life, Diane DeBellevue in City Park. They were married 65 years. He was the loving father of Karen Johnson (Mayor Mark), Albert A. Kramer, III, Kevin Kramer (Chris) and Dr. Cheryl Kramer; brother of Danny Kramer (Iris) and the late Jerry Kramer (DeeDee); brother-in-law of Dr. Vallee DeBellevue, Jr. Al took great pride and joy in his 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Al was born in an old-style grocery store and raised in the very humble surroundings of the 9th Ward of New Orleans. At the age of 9 he began helping support the family delivering po-boys and selling eggs, watermelons, or crawfish door to door. At 17 years old, he fibbed about his age to join the Coast Guard and was stationed throughout the eastern United States, Cuba and Greenland. To avoid the cold, he volunteered to work in the kitchen where he learned to cook chop suey. He would continue to cook chop suey for many decades, but only in quantities large enough to feed a ship.

Al had a great desire to succeed in business. Creating one of the first car wash solutions ever, he failed. Selling “family record plans”, he failed. Creating roadside auto insurance, he failed.

Then, for the next 20 years, Al excelled as a life insurance salesman becoming a national sales leader. He was often the leading salesperson in the nation for two different companies.

In 1970, Al and Diane moved their family to Covington. Recognizing the potential growth of the area, Al’s new passion was to pursue a career in homebuilding (of which he knew nothing). His incredible determination and keen sense of business allowed him to quickly excel and become a leader in the industry. Al’s many accomplishments included the companies: Al Kramer Construction, Four Star Homes and Kramer Land and Development. He personally developed Rosedown, Century Oaks, The Lakes of Greenleaves, Versailles and Fontainbleau subdivisions. As a respected builder he served as president of the Northlake Homebuilders Association for many years.

Subsequently, Al started Four Star Amusement, a video game/arcade business (of which he knew nothing) that reached across southeastern Louisiana.

Al was a foodie before it was a thing teaching his children how to “raise the flag” at Pancho’s and later enjoying many a meal at Sal & Judy’s.

Valuing education and travel, it was very important to Al that he give each grandchild their first visit to Europe. He loved coaching little league football and basketball, Fats Domino, Elvis Presley, big screen TV’s, Judge Judy, TCM and The Price is Right. He reigned as king of the Mystic Krewe of Olympia and as its Captain for five years.

The family would like to thank Nola Sherman, their housekeeper/friend of 30+ years, Georgia Jones, his longtime caregiver, and his Avanti angels.

Al Kramer was an original. He will be missed.

Relatives and friends are invited to the Funeral Mass at St. Joseph Abbey Church, 75376 River Rd., St. Benedict, LA 70457 on Friday, September 2, 2022 at 2:00PM with a visitation at the church from 1:15 PM until Mass time. Interment will follow the Mass at St. Joseph Abbey Cemetery, St. Benedict, LA. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Kickin’ Parkinson’s, 103 Wilderness Way, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459 in Al’s honor. Please Share a Memory on the Tribute Wall at www.ejfieldingfh.com.