James Harold Kramer (aka Doc, Blue Eyes, Jim, Kramer, Slim Jim), age 83, born November 17, 1931, in St. Lawrence, SD, danced his way to heaven on Thursday, October 15th ,2015, due to complications from pneumonia and heart failure. So begins the story of Kramer, the only child of a Preacher man and his wife. Arthur and Anna (Muth) Kramer raised him on the farm where his love for tinkering, fishing, hunting, automobiles and driving tractor began. Jim would ride his horse 10 miles to Lake Louise to bring home fresh fish dinner for his family. Against the confines of his strict religious upbringing where the expectation was to complete 8th grade and spend the rest of his life farming, he attended St. Lawrence High School while boarding in town. This is where he joined the high school basketball team and earned the nickname "Doc" due to his ability to revive any losing game. During this time his love of school and sports along with his twinkling blue eyes and winning smile began the magnetic draw for all the ladies. Jim graduated high school and then enlisted in the Army during the Korean Conflict. He was sent to the 31st Dixie Division in South Carolina. This is where his tractor driving skills were honed for his assignment as tank driver for the Head Fred. This division was deployed to the front lines of the Korean Conflict on the 38th parallel and in Kramer's words, he was "the only Yankee in the 31st division". As a Native South Dakotan, Jim said that he would always stay toasty in his Army issued sleeping bag, but the thin blooded southern boys were freezing their ".... off". Upon return to the states, Jim's love of cars and driving landed him his first job in Chicago at Nash Auto Factory before he returned to his home state of South Dakota. Now, on the western side of the state in Rapid City he met his wife Janice Hagel. Jim and Jan had a daughter, Linda Kramer. After the flood of 1972 Jim and Jan raised nephew Matthew Vanderbeek. From the 60's to the 70's Jim owned and operated two gas stations in Rapid City where his knowledge and love for automobiles and tinkering were engaged. The gas business was not always lucrative . During an economic slumps he was introduced to what became his passion, Frontier Airlines. This is where he spent some of the best of his working years as a Station Agent and became an integral part of the airport family. In 1986 Jim met the second love of his life, Colleen "Coke" Meyers. Jim and Coke spent many years together at Sheridan Lake, first in a camper and later purchased a cabin at the Blue Wing Recreation area where many holidays were spent with children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, extended family and friends. Jim's fish fries and homemade schnapps along with his knowledge of nearly everything made him the Blue Wing "go to guy". They spent some of their winters in Laughlin, Nevada where he became a skillful gambler and made many friends. Jim enjoyed life to the fullest and will be most remembered by all those who loved him for golfing, hunting, fishing, water skiing, snow skiing, gambling, billiards, ping pong, his love for the Broncos and being the life of the party with his "cheap white wine", dancing the night away. Jim is survived by Colleen "Coke" Meyers, daughter, Linda Kramer (Lon Waltman), son, Matt Vanderbeek (Nancy Vanderbeek), granddaughter Anita Hansen, CPA (Chad Niehoff), great grandchildren Destiny Durham, Kane Niehoff, Chelsea Niehoff (great-great grandaughter Peyton Niehoff), step daughters Tamara (Bob) Dormady, Michelle (Jim) Brunn, Kelly (JD) Rothberg, Georgia Meyers, step grandchildren Josh Dormady, Becky Dormady, and Zaxton Rothberg, nieces and nephews, brother's and sister's in-law, extended family and friends. Preceded in death by mother Anna (Muth) Kramer and father Arthur Kramer. A memorial has been established by the family. Visitation will be on Monday, October 19th 5pm to 7pm at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Services will be at 12:30 on Tuesday, October 20, at the funeral home with the Rev. Herb Cleveland officiating. Interment will be at Black Hills National Cemetery at 2:30. Jim proudly served and will receive full military honors.