from: Mark Soland ~

I’ve known Joel Kramer literally since the day I entered this world. He and his family were our next door neighbors and Joel and I grew up literally in the crib and playpen together. He was my best and closest friend until I was about 5 years old when he and his family moved to Woodland Hills California.

I was heartbroken when Joel moved away. Joel and I lost touch since we weren’t fortunate enough to live our childhoods in an age of computers and cell phones or things like Facebook and Instagram.

You would think that would have been the last I would ever see or hear of Joel Kramer again, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

In 1984, Joel sought out my parents and tracked me down in Tucson Arizona. I was 25 years old at the time and we rekindled our friendship. Since then Joel and I regularly talk on the telephone, visit each other at our homes, share meals with our families and stay in touch the way best friends do.

Joel is one of the most giving and caring persons I know. My relationship with him has never been judged by but who he is or what he does for a living. Our relationship has always been based on true friendship. I can’t remember us ever having a conversation where he didn’t ask me how my mother or the rest of my family are doing. Joel is the kind of guy that would give you the shirt off his back without expecting anything in return. I feel that I must say that our relationship has never been based on anything but friendship, I’ve never been on one of his movie sets, I have never worked for him, and our relationship has always been one of love and respect. Joel is also the kind of guy that will always put other individuals first. I’ve seen this in his relationship with his wife, with his son Joe Michael, his family and his friends.

In closing I would like to say that Joel Kramer is and will always be my brother, my best friend, my confidant and one of the most amazing people I know. I am blessed to know him and call him my friend.

Respectfully,

Mark Soland