Barry Thomas Kramer

Barry Thomas Kramer, 73, of Hendersonville, TN, went to be with our Lord on June 30, 2023.

Barry, the eldest of four children, was born on April 23, 1950, to Carolyn and Norman Kramer in Chicago, Illinois, and moved to St. Louis, Missouri, in his childhood years. When he was younger, his father gave him the nickname “Duke.” After graduating from St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School, he attended Vanderbilt University and became a member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. He graduated from the University of Missouri, Kansas City, and continued his nursing studies at the Medical College of Virginia, becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Barry returned to the Nashville area, making Hendersonville, TN, his home since 1978. Barry continued as a CRNA until 2000. During his education years, Barry volunteered and served in the United States Navy and Naval Reserve attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He took his final tour with the Navy Reserve in 1990.

He is preceded in death by mother Carolyn Kramer, father Norman Kramer, and brother Greg Kramer. He is survived by brother Tom (Becky) Kramer, sister Patty (Larry) Howard, daughter Kim (Vaston) Brooks, daughter Liz (Adam) Johnson, daughter Kristin Berkery, stepsons Jonathan (Sheri) Davis, and Brian (Celeste) Davis; grandchildren Cecilia, Maggie, Addie, Laurel, and Will and step grandchildren Clara, Cole, Cooper, Maddox, and Charlie, and numerous of nieces and nephews.

Barry was an Eagle Scout and passed along his great knowledge of scouting while serving as Assistant Scoutmaster in Troops 408 and 133 in Hendersonville, TN.

Barry loved everything outdoors and was an avid deer hunter. His collection of camping gear and firearms showed how seriously he took every adventure. He was an avid water and snow skier.

Barry held tight to his St. Louis roots always supporting his Cardinals and returning at least once a year to enjoy Thanksgiving with his mother, brothers, and sister. His sports fandom continued while he made his roots in Nashville, adopting the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators as his hometown teams, however he never lost his love for the Cardinals.    

Barry was always the life of the party wherever he went. If he loved you, he loved to pick on you. Often, you didn’t know he was messing with you until he finally cracked his unforgettable smile. His love for his family was unsurpassed. 

A funeral mass will be held Saturday, July 8, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of the Lake Church in Hendersonville. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the church prior to the funeral mass.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Heart Association or Boy Scouts of America in memory of Barry Kramer.

Arrangements Entrusted to: Sumner Funeral & Cremation Lakeside, Hendersonville (615) 822-4442 www.sumnerfuneral.com Proud to be family owned and operated.