Gordon L. Cramer

Our beloved Gordon L. Cramer passed away at home surrounded by family on October 19th, 2024, at the age of 78. He was born in Lansing, Michigan in 1946 to Lawerence and Erna Cramer and was the youngest of four children.

Gordon was a natural athlete, excelling in both wrestling and football. During his high school career, he was recognized several times as an All-State player. He attended college at the University of Wyoming on a wrestling and football scholarship. On the field, Gordon had the opportunity to play both offensive guard and defensive nose guard. As a Wyoming Cowboy, Gordon started in the 1966 Sun Bowl when Wyoming beat Florida State. Wyoming was undefeated and ranked 5th nationally going into the 1967 Sugar Bowl against LSU. The Cowboy’s came up short by 1 touchdown. The number 5 national ranking still stands as the highest ranking for the Wyoming Cowboy’s football program.

He moved to Longmont in 1973 where he started teaching and coaching at Longmont High School. Following the retirement of head coach Irv Mont, in 1975, Gordon became Longmont High School’s head football coach and during this time the Longmont Trojans held a record of 45 consecutive wins which included 3 state championships (1989, ’90, and ’91), with prior runner-up finishes in ’84,’87,’88. His teams compiled a record of 213 wins and 83 losses. Gordon was instrumental in creating a winning tradition at LHS. Throughout the years many of his football teams competed for a run at the playoffs. Gordon coached until 1999 and continued to assist for 7 more years. In 2011, Coach Cramer was inducted into the CHSCA Hall of Fame. Although he acquired many accolades, Gordon’s mentoring is what made a positive impact on everyone around him.

Gordon and Marlene’s love story began when they met at the local grocery store. Gordon and Marlene married two years later on December 20th, 1982. They made a beautiful life together raising children and creating endless memories. When Gordon was off the field and outside of the classroom, he enjoyed fishing, working in the yard, and spending precious time with his family.

Gordon is preceded in death by his father, Lawerence Cramer (1995), his mother, Erna Cramer (2008), Evan Pilkington (2012), Michelle Pilkington (2016), and his wife of 40 years, Marlene Cramer (2023). Gordon is survived by his brothers, Jim (Bobbi) Cramer of Lancaster, PA, Robert (Carol) Cramer of Haslett, MI, and his sister, Wanda (Wayne - deceased) Stafford of Neenah, Wisconsin. Gordon is also survived by his children, daughter Marisa (Roger- deceased) Holmes of Arvada, CO, step-daughter Tammy (Leo) Pilkington of Cedaredge, CO, step-son John (Jamie) Herman of Pinewood Springs, CO, and step-son Steve (Lori) Herman of Lyons, CO. Gordon will be dearly missed by his grandchildren Bowe (Sarah) Herman, Shaeli (Kellen) Froese, Bayly (Jason) Babyak, Chase Doughty, Deanna(Mike) Alexy, Jake Holmes, Sarah Holmes, and his four great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life for Gordon will be held Monday, November 4th, 2024, at 12:30 p.m., LifeBridge Christian Church, 1035 Ute Hwy. Longmont, CO, 80501. A livestream for the service will be available.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gordon’s honor to:

LHS Booster Club

Memo: Football

1040 Sunset St. Longmont, CO 80501