John Kraman, “The Professor” on Mecum Broadcasts, Has Died

Mecum

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.

John Kraman
Mecum

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.”

John Kraman
Mecum

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.”

John Kraman
Mecum

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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Comments

    I’m sitting here Friday night on the 17th watching Mecum auctions, and wondering where the professor was. I googled as to why he wasn’t there and found out. I am in total shock. How could you not have loved that man. My condolences go out to his family, and to his broadcast partner, Scott. May The Good Lord bless his soul.

    A true car guy with a touch of class, professionalism and knowledge. His presence and distinct voice on Mecum will always be missed.

    A gentleman, a scholar and a consummate professional. But most of all a caring human being……… Prayers and thoughts to his family, friends and fans. RIP John

    Truly the Mel Allen of the car broadcasting world –Totally missed his commentary at the Kissamee Auction –God Be with You Mr.Kraman ,RIP –amen

    JK you will be sorely missed. Your knowledge, enthusiasm and sense of humor will be greatly missed! I have enjoyed the years watching and listening to you during the Mecum Auctions! God Bless you, your family, friends and all of your dear fans! R.I.P.

    To the family and friends of John I pass on my condolence’s to all of you who knew him outside of Mecum. The loss is immense for many that became close to him on the other side of a television set. I personally was more interested in what he had to say than the cars he was describing. There’s no shortage of beautiful 2 and 4 wheeled metal. There was only 1 John and the world is poorer for his passing. Rest in Peace.

    FROM TRADER-AL B – I met JOHN and SCOTT at a number of MECUM AUCTIONS. His taking time and freedom to talk to me while he was on break and so busy was so much appreciated. His automotive intelligence level and knowledge will never be duplicated. I wish his family and friends my deepest sympathies. THX. – AL B.

    What a tremendous loss to the collector community.
    He was loves, and well respected by all who listened to him.

    To the family, I am so sorry for the sudden loss of a wonderful man.

    Very saddened by the passing of John, he was truly the Professor. His knowledge and commentary of each vehicle were amazing..He has and will be missed..

    So sad to hear of the passing of JK. Wealth of knowledge and made the Mecum auctions so enjoyable. We are all a bit poorer with his passing. God speed John and condolences to his family.

    Even if you weren’t a classic car collector or owner like me, I tuned into Mecum Auctions just to learn something about classic cars crossing the block. John knew every facet of all the cars in the auction, In addition, his peripheral knowledge about each car, including it’s available factory options, accessories, restomod trends, hot rod trends, etc. was impeccable. The depth of his knowledge and enthusiasm for his work as “the professor” on Mecum auctions will be sorely missed.

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