Richard Cody Dramer

Richard Cody Dramer (73), of Grants Pass, Oregon was swiftly and peacefully received into Jesus’ arms on January 17, 2024.

His life:

Richard was born in Seattle, Washington June 10^th, 1950, to adventurous parents Robert and Francis Dramer, and was the youngest of four children. He spent his early days in West Seattle steeped in mischievousness alongside his siblings. They moved to Ogden, Utah in 1962 where he spent his middle school years. They returned to West Seattle for a short time before he and his parents relocated to Houston, Texas in 1967, until graduating from Clear Creek High School in 1968. He then returned to Seattle and met his wife Judy at Lasley Knitting Company in September 1971.

Richard and Judy were married on December 2^nd, 1972 at Redwood Community Church in Grants Pass. They welcomed two children and raised them in the Rogue Valley until Richard graduated from Southern Oregon State College in 1984 with a BA in music education. In that time, Richard found Jesus and was baptized at Ashland Foursquare Church in 1980. In August 1984, he moved his family from Ashland to the heart of the Columbia River Gorge to begin his teaching career at Cascade Locks School. His entire career was spent there, passionately sharing the gift of music with his students, and investing in this community until his retirement in 2008. In August 2020, Richard and Judy returned to the Rogue Valley where they began and built their family.

His beliefs and passion:

Richard was a devoted Christian, a beloved husband, a dedicated father/father-in-law, and the conductor of his choir of five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He had many interests, but his identity was formed around his marriage, family, and Jesus. His love of music and his role as the world's best grandfather were two of his greatest joys.

Richard’s lifelong pursuit of sharing music with the world was profound. The evidence is shown through the hours of lessons, recording sessions, and the influence on his talented grandchildren. And you could always hear him whistling a tune wherever he went.

Richard would often reminisce fondly about his time in Texas during the height of the Space program which fueled his love of engineering and astronomy. He was proud of his adventures in travel and food, grateful for his eccentric friends, and there was rarely a stranger on his path. His childlike curiosity often introduced his wife and boys to a collage of colorful characters. His was a life played in a symphony of adventure, love, and music, resonating deeply through the many lives he touched over his full 73 years.

He is survived by his wife Judy Ann Dramer of 51 adventurous years; His son Jason Cody, and daughter-in-law Rachel;  His son Nathan, and daughter-in-law Solveig; Grandchildren, Malia (30), Turner (27), Emily (24), Keegan (15), Naomi (8), and great-granddaughter, Solviira (3), and his brothers Rob and Thom, his sister Kathy, and their families.

A celebration of his life will be held at All City Church in Portland February 10^th, at 2:00pm