THOMAS LAWRENCE KREAMER

Our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Thomas Lawrence Kreamer, Larry, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, April 18, 2017.
Larry was born Dec. 2, 1934 in New Roads, Louisiana. He was a 1952 graduate of St. Joseph Academy. At the age of 17, he entered the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict and served on the aircraft carrier, USS Philippine Sea. Honorably discharged and after his return, he attended SLI on the GI bill. He earned his BS degree, followed by a MA at LSU. In 1966, he joined the USL faculty as an Educational Consultant and Instructor in Special Education. Larry went on to obtain his Doctorate of Education in 1973, and became head of the Department of Special Education in 1978. In 1980 as head of the department of Curriculum and Instruction, he continued at USL until he retired in 1990 at the rank of Professor.
During his career at the University, Dr. Kreamer was active in: the Acadiana Council for Exceptional Children, the Louisiana Association for Retarded Citizens, the Louisiana Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, the Louisiana Association of Teacher Education, the Louisiana Educational Research Association, the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, the Council for Exceptional Children and also authored numerous professional journal articles and presented his research at many professional meetings.
Following retirement, Larry volunteered his time to the Lafayette Beaver Club, the Lafayette Visitors and Tourism Center and Meals on Wheels. He supported numerous community organizations including the Acadiana Arts Council, Friends of Lafayette Parish Library, Lafayette Library Foundation, ULL Foundation, ULL Hilliard Museum, Hilliard Society, and Lafayette Art Association.
While he excelled in his professional and philanthropic roles, Larry’s greatest life contributions were in his roles as husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend. Through each of those roles his quiet courage and faith sustained him, his humility put everyone at ease and his endearing personality made those whose paths he crossed love him. In addition to being an adoring husband of his wife, Jean, Larry was an exceptional role model for his three sons, whom he held together following the premature passing of his first wife, Helen. Through his steadfast example he led and he will live on.
He is survived by his loving wife, Dr. Jean T. Kreamer, his three sons, Tommy and wife Alicia, Michael and wife Terri and Chuck and wife Becky. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Michelle, Garrett, Laurence, Andrew, Charles, William, Eleanor and Thomas III, as well has his sister Elizabeth K. Clarke and husband Thomas, and brother Jimmy and wife, Geri.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Eleanora Kreamer, his first wife, Helen LeBeau Kreamer, his sister Estelle K. Niland and a brother-in-law, J.T. Niland.
The family wishes to thank Hospice of Acadiana, Ms. Debra Cormier, Dr. Morris Hoffpauir, Dr. Michael Alexander, Dr. Michael Cain, Dr. Perri Prellop, Dr. John Mickey, Dr. Michael Daigle, and Dr. Denbo Montgomery, the staff of LGMC Cancer Center, Ms. Julie Broussard and her staff of First Option Home Health who supported him through his last illness, Mrs. Agnes Kilchrist, of Agnes Kilchrist Loving Care and her devoted staff who cared for him during his last days, as did his friend Ms. Carol Williams. The family gratefully acknowledges the support of Mr. Bob Guchereau, Eucharistic Minister, Msgr. Keith Derouen, Fr. Chester Arceneaux, Mr. Tom Neil, and the staff and parishioners of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. In the words of his incomparable mother-in-law, Lena B. Thibodeaux, “Got that done!”
Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 24, 2017 at a 1 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist for Dr. Larry Kramer, age 82.
Reverend Monsignor Keith DeRouen, Pastor of Our Lady Queen of Angels in Opelousas will be the Celebrant of the Funeral Mass and will conduct the funeral services. Con Celebrant will be Reverend Chester Arceneaux, Rector of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. Lectors will be Helen Michelle Kreamer, Laurence Kreamer, Stewart Kreamer and Eleanor Rose Kreamer.
The family requests that visitation be observed in Martin & Castille’s DOWNTOWN location on Sunday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. No Visitation on Monday.
A Eulogy will be given at 7 p.m. in the Martin & Castille Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions can be made in Dr. Larry Kreamer’s name to the Lafayette Public Library Foundation, 301 W. Congress, Lafayette, LA 70501, Dr. Thomas L and Dr. Jean T. Kreamer Endowment or to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston Street, Suite 200, Lafayette, Louisiana 70503. www.hospiceacadiana.com
View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com
Martin & Castille-DOWNTOWN-330 St. Landry St., Lafayette, LA 70506, 337-234-2311