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John Kraman, “The Professor” on Mecum Broadcasts, Has Died
The Professor has passed away.
“My heart is broken today,” wrote Scott Hoke on Facebook Monday. “John Kraman, my TV partner and friend for 17 years, passed away last night. Lifting up his wife Christine Reimer Kraman and extended family in prayer. Godspeed Professor!”
Hoke and Kraman hosted the television coverage of Mecum auctions on MotorTrend TV and Max, and everyone expected that to continue tomorrow through Saturday as records could fall in the final days of Mecum’s 4500-car auction at the annual Kissimmee, Florida event. But Kraman died Sunday at home after a brief but brutal illness.
Mecum’s inventory is astoundingly wide-ranging, and viewers depended on Kraman’s encyclopedic car knowledge to help make sense of what they were seeing on the screen. Kraman loved cars, especially 1960s and ‘70s American muscle cars, and he could talk all day about them, as well as about airplanes, guitars, motorcycles, and motorsports. Nicknamed The Professor, he was generous with his time and worked hard to make the auction experience more engaging. If you were a car enthusiast lucky enough to have Kraman as a dinner companion, it was guaranteed that the conversation would be enjoyable and eclectic.
Kraman grew up in Los Angeles, where he would often go to work with his car-salesman father. Early on that began a lifelong interest for him, and even as a child he could name every car that drove by. Much later in life, he still could.
His own career began in auto repair, and moved quickly to auto sales, where he mostly sold Nissans and Mazdas. After that, he transitioned into aircraft sales, a natural gig since he was a pilot. But his love for classic cars kept calling, and in 2006 he joined Mecum Auctions as consignment director. When the auctions became televised, he moved in front of the cameras as an analyst in 2008. He later took on the official role of Mecum spokesman, giving dozens of interviews to the media, and speeches at car clubs.
“His dedication to positioning our brand in the best possible light was more than a career—it was his life’s mission,” Mecum Auctions said in a statement. “John set the standard for excellence, demanding accuracy, precision and the highest quality in everything we did. He wasn’t just part of Mecum Auctions, he was Mecum Auctions, living and breathing its essence every day.”
Kraman taught himself to play guitar and was an enthusiastic collector. He fronted several classic rock bands back home in Rockford, Illinois, most recently and appropriately Redline 7000, named after the 1965 movie about NASCAR racing at Daytona.
His love for vintage guitars translated to opportunities for Mecum to give to charity. A year ago acclaimed musician Joe Bonamassa donated one of his guitars to be sold at Mecum’s Kissimmee auction. Afterward, Bonamassa posted this on X: “Well, this is awesome! An Epiphone JB SG Custom I donated to Curing Kids Cancer just sold for $12,000 at Mecum in Kissimmee, Florida. Big thanks to the generous buyer, and to John Kraman for getting me involved.”
Online tributes have poured in since news of Kraman’s death was reported. NASCAR team owner Ray Evernham, best known as Jeff Gordon’s crew chief, is a knowledgeable and prolific car collector. He posted this on X: ‘“What a fantastic person. Unbelievable knowledge of cars, and such a great guy. Prayers to his family and friends.”
A Celebration of Life for Kraman will take place on Friday, January 24, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 1860 South Mulford Road in Rockford, Illinois.
John Kraman was 68.
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Going to miss this man, his knowledge and his very humble and thoughtful presence. Mecum auctions will never be the same god bless professor
I’m so sorry about John I always love to hear him talk I just love him to me he was a very nice person. God bless your family gods looking over your family.
A huge loss… he was the voice of the auctions and wowed us with his knowledge and specificity. RIP Professor.
When I found out that John had passed away, I was brought to tears !!! I will truly miss hearing him on Mecum Auctions !!! He was The Professor !!!
May His Memory Be Eternal God Bless!
Will be truly missed by all car guys and gals, so interesting to hear the details of the cars crossing the block from him with no pretense. Won’t be another like him. RIP sir.
Only saw him a few times on the auction shows, but anytime we lose a fellow musician and car guy, and someone very close to my age, I’m saddened to hear of his passing. Way too young and too cool. I’m sure we would have totally hit it off in conversation. Rest in peace.
RIP Professor ❤️🩹
Mr. Kraman, I never met you, but I wish I had. I watched you for years and now I will never have the opportunity to shake your hand and thank you for all the wonderful insights you gave over the years. I will miss you greatly.
P.S. I will never trust a badge!
John: setting the standard for transportation machinery enthusiasm, knowledge and love. Example of great human behavior – we were all lucky to see him set the standard. Condolences to his massive family and friends.
You will be missed JK, you deserve an extra pair of wings.
John knowledge of collector cars will certainly be missed, prayers for the entire Kraman family
I did not know he was from Rockford, Illinois. He was always interesting to listen to as he talked abut whatever we saw on the screen. Condolences to the family.
We’ll miss you Professor! You were my main reason for watching these auctions. Your love and knowledge of cars was absolutely incredible and showed with every broadcast. Rest in peace my friend. You truly made a difference!
Never new the man, Never met him. His knowledge was enough for me to appreciate him. I will miss him! RIP sir!!