Rory’s FAMILY
REMEMBERING
TOM KRAMER
Rory’s father, Tom, shaped every part of who he is and is the foundation of his character. Tom taught him the value of hard work, the importance of respecting others, and the power of faith. He never shied away from giving the honest truth when Rory needed it most.
After eight years of courageously battling cancer, Tom passed away on December 13th, 2022, leaving behind a legacy that shaped every chapter of Rory’s life.
A gifted storyteller, Tom passed that talent on to Rory, whose career grew from sharing his life through video. His advice became the heart of Avicii’s The Nights, a music video now nearing one billion views, carrying Tom’s way of life to millions.
Some of Rory’s most meaningful memories live in the smallest moments: long drives to the lake where Tom would offer a dollar to anyone who spotted a ring-necked pheasant (a bet he rarely lost), family games after dinner where Tom would playfully tap Rory on the head with his family ring, or the time in high school when Rory asked for money and Tom instead offered him an interview at McDonald’s.
Whether they were water-skiing, horseback riding, sharing stories, or laughing as Rory snuck up with a camera, Tom embodied strength, humility, and joy.
Even during his fight with cancer, Tom chose to live on his own terms. He focused instead on family, experiences, and happiness. He believed that life is something you live, not something that happens to you.
Tom Kramer was a father, a mentor, a storyteller, a role model, a believer in hard work, and a man who taught Rory how to live free, give back, and never let ego get in the way. His spirit continues to guide Rory’s work, his art, and his outlook on life.
SUSAN KRAMER
Susan AKA “Savage Susie” Kramer has a source of creative inspiration in Rory’s life. From encouraging him as a child to use his imagination to documenting their family’s story through photo and video, she laid the foundation that would eventually guide his artistic career.
Known for her endless support and her “artsy fartsy” encouragement, Susan is the queen of doing everything with heart. She’s the mom who packed Rory his lunch at 25 years old, cleaned his suitcase wheels after every trip, and stocked the freezer with as many gallons of milk as she could find on sale. She’s a Browns fan to her core and has confidently claimed the NFL is rigged long before the internet made it a joke.
Susan spent nearly 40 years married to her partner, Tom, a love defined by laughter, teamwork, and the kind of devotion that sets the tone for an entire family. Susan has learned to step into life’s hardest moments with grit, humor, and a strength that would make him incredibly proud.
She’s Rory’s biggest fan, his constant encourager, and the woman behind so many of the stories he tells. They don’t call her “Savage Susie” for nothing…
AMY KRAMER
Amy and Rory originally crossed paths years before anything started between them. They later reconnected at the lake on a Fourth of July, and everything shifted. From there, their relationship grew in a way that felt steady and right, eventually leading them to get married in 2020.
Amy has been a stabilizing force in Rory’s life. She’s walked with him through the highs and lows, grounding him when his thoughts become heavy and reminding him of his worth when he can’t see it himself. She challenges him in ways that help him grow, offering honest perspective when he needs it most.
She’s one of the hardest-working people he knows, brings their home to life with Target finds, adds humor exactly when he needs it, and is the only person he’s willing to watch Summer House with.
Amy carries herself in a way people naturally gravitate toward so much so that when Rory shows up somewhere without her, the first question is usually, “Where’s Amy?” Amy is his safe place and the person he would choose in every lifetime.
RUN IT WITH RORY
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