Obituary for James Francis “Jim” Kramer James Francis (“Jim”) Kramer, 57, of Tucson, passed away at his home September 16, 2018. Born November 25, 1960 in Jersey City, New Jersey, Jim was the son of John M. Kramer, Jr. and Katherine Anne Stanton Kramer. Jim was raised in South Orange, New Jersey and was a graduate of Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey.
He had attended Hofstra University and the University of Arizona. In the early 1980’s, Jim moved to Tucson, AZ. He initially worked in the securities and exchange industry but found his calling in corporate retail sales.
He held sales positions with Silo Electronics and Circuit City before working for 15 years for AT&T. While a store manager for AT&T Wireless, Jim received several management awards. Jim had many hobbies, including motorcycle riding, hiking, reading, movies, listening to music, following his favorite sports teams, and fast cars.
But his real passion was collecting first edition and other collectible books and original theatrical release movie posters. In 2012, Jim founded “Bound by Books” to buy and sell books and movie posters, while still working at AT&T. In 2016, he retired from AT&T to work fulltime in his business.
Jim found great joy in this work. He was committed to what he called “unparalleled customer service” and possessed extraordinary talent and drive. He had become well-respected in the industry and by his customers, treating them with fairness and integrity.
He worked tirelessly to find a broad range of book genres and original movie posters from the 1930’s to the present. He was particularly adept at securing signed copies of first edition books. The most important part of Jim’s life, however, was his family and friends.
Writes good friend Will Sivilli, “Every person Jimmy touched, and especially if you were lucky enough to become a friend, knew they were meeting a very special ‘Dude. ’ He was a ‘larger than life’ person and filled up a room, but never in an annoying way. Rather the opposite, Jimmy could and would talk to anyone he met about anything and everything.
He was as easy talking to a CEO as he was to a homeless person or a person in need. His heart was as big as his adopted State’s Grand Canyon. “His generosity and kindness were as genuine as he was.
One of his passions was to pick a family in need every Christmas and buy tons of gifts for the entire family, especially the kids, and deliver them personally on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve, a planned dinner with Jimmy meant waiting for him to arrive, but it was always worth the wait. He was loved by all his family and close friends, and we are all missing him, and always will.
He was the kindest and most gentle soul I have ever known. With the utmost admiration, respect and love we wish you, our dear brother and friend, a Buen Viaje and Salud and Adios Hermano! ” Jim is survived by brother Reginald (Reg) Kramer and wife Marj; sister Deirdre Kramer and husband Jamie Richart; three nieces and one great-niece; and a large, loving extended family.
Jim was preceded in death by his brother Michael Kramer and by his parents. A private memorial gathering will take place. Donations in Jim’s memory, donations may be made to Interfaith Community Services, 2820 West Ina Road, Tucson, AZ 85741.
Evergreen Mortuary and Cemetery is assisting with arrangements. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of James Francis “Jim” Kramer please visit our Sympathy Store.
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