FORT WORTH, Texas — Texas Wesleyan University is deeply saddened by the passing of Karen Cramer, a devoted member of the Texas Wesleyan University Board of Trustees, a third-generation Ram, honorary alumna and one of the most generous and enduring friends of the university.

Cramer’s connection to Texas Wesleyan began generations before her own service to the institution. Her grandmother, Quilla Viola Umstead Shawver, graduated from what was then known as Texas Woman’s College in 1917. During World War II, Karen’s parents, Elizabeth and Judson Cramer, attended and met at the university, where her father joined the Civil Pilot Training Program before serving in the Army Air Corps. Judson Cramer later joined the Texas Wesleyan Board of Trustees in 1972, was named Alumnus of the Year in 1975 and became Board Chairman in 1976. Karen continued her family’s longstanding connection to Texas Wesleyan through her own service and philanthropy. From the moment she joined the Board of Trustees on June 1, 2016, she brought to every conversation the conviction that comes from someone who didn't just believe in the university’s mission — she experienced it.

Her most visible contribution is the Karen Cramer Stadium, a state-of-the-art facility made possible by her transformative gift that will serve as the epicenter of Ram Athletics for generations to come. The stadium will be home to current and future athletic programs, as well as cheer, dance and the university’s future marching band. It is a gift that will echo with the sound of Ram spirit long after the final whistle.

“Karen Cramer was a dear friend of the university. Her generosity was matched only by her grace, and her belief in Texas Wesleyan never wavered. She loved our students, hearing their stories and supporting them long after graduation. The stadium that bears her name signifies her lasting impact on this institution. Those of us who had the privilege of knowing her will carry something far more lasting, which is the memory of a woman who showed us what it means to invest in something greater than yourself. We will honor her always,” Texas Wesleyan President Emily Messer said.

“The Board of Trustees has lost a colleague of integrity and genuine passion. Karen brought to every meeting not just her expertise and her resources, but her heart. She was a second-generation trustee, and that identity shaped everything she did in service to this university. We will miss her counsel, her warmth and her commitment to our students,” said Vickie Stevens, Chair of the Texas Wesleyan University Board of Trustees.

In honor of Cramer’s enduring commitment to Texas Wesleyan and its students, the university has established the Karen Cramer Stadium Memorial Endowment Fund to support future generations of Rams. Those wishing to honor her memory through a memorial gift may contribute HERE.

A funeral service honoring Cramer’s life will be held at Arborlawn United Methodist Church in Fort Worth on June 11, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. Interment will follow at Greenwood Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Karen Cramer Memorial Scholarship and Endowment Fund. View Karen Cramer’s full obituary here.