George E. Cramp (1916 - 2015)

Born 7 Jun 1916 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Biography

George E. Cramp of Olathe Colorado passed away on Sunday July 5, 2015 at the age of 99. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on June 7, 1916 to George and Lillian Cramp. During his younger years, his father being an engineer, moved frequently. He lived in Pennsylvania, New York, California and Colorado. During this time George always had a passion for flying. After graduating from high school in San Bernardino, California, George moved to Denver, Colorado. He began working as a chauffeur for a Dr. Staunton (Dr.’s ranch is now a Colorado State Park). George’s love for flying began to blossom when he purchased a J-3 Piper Cub. He spent many hours flying around Colorado and landing anywhere he was able to buy some gasoline, mostly at farms or ranches. He would give anyone, who wanted, a fifteen minute ride for a small amount of money. He instructed students to fly, at Western State College, in Gunnison, CO. While there he met Eleanor Pricco, who was attending school at that time. George and Eleanor were married on June 10, 1942, the same year he started working for Continental Airlines, in Denver. While in Denver, the couple had two sons, Bob in 1946, and Art in 1950. They remained in Denver until the summer of 1959, at which time George was transferred to Los Angeles, CA. George and family, again, were transferred to Honolulu, HI. Continental Airlines had a MAC contract with the US Army and Marines, to carry troops and cargo for the Vietnam War effort. When the war ended, George and Ellie loved Hawaii so much; he would fly back to LA to start his scheduled flights back to Honolulu. George retired in 1976, after flying with Continental for 34 years. During his employment he was able to fly a Lockheed Loadstar, DC-3, Convair 240 & 340, DC-4, DC-6, DC-7B, Vickers Viscount, Boeing 707, 707-324C, DC-10 and the Boeing 747. George and Ellie returned to Ouray in 2006, where they lived in the house that Ellie was born in. They remained in Ouray until they moved to Sunrise Creek in Montrose, CO during 2013. After Ellie’s passing, and a fall, George moved to Colorow Nursing Home in Olathe, Colorado, November 2014. He remained there until his passing on July 5, 2015. George was preceded in death by his sister Dorothy. He is survived by his sister Marjory Cones of Woodland Hills, CA, Son: Bob and wife Vickie Cramp of Ouray, Son: Art and wife Liz Cramp of Pennington NJ, Granddaughter: Kelly and husband Steve Tomlinson of Kapolei, HI, Granddaughter: Kristy and future husband Brandon Sharp of Pennington, NJ, Granddaughter: Kimberly Cramp of The Woodlands, TX, Grandson: Christopher Cramp of Tempe, AZ, Great Granddaughters: Mackenzie & Haley Tomlinson of Kapolei, HI.

Sources

• Ouray County Plaindealer (Newspaper), Ouray, Colorado, July 16, 2015