Dwight Edward McCracken

Dwight Edward (Mac) McCracken, age 93 of Bolivar, passed away on Friday, October 17, 2014 at the Colonial Springs Healthcare Facility in Buffalo, MO due to natural causes related to Alzheimer's. He was born the first of three children to Thomas McCracken and Helen (Robinson) McCracken on February 12, 1921 in Marysville, OH. Mac to his many friends, led a very full enriched life. A tremendously accomplished man, he had the opportunity to be a positive force for thousands of people who will be forever indebted to him for his role at pivotal points in their lives. He was a man of integrity who said what he meant and meant what he said. Large in stature and in being, he will be remembered by many with warm memories and gratitude. His farming family moved to San Jacinto, CA when he was seven and he graduated from San Jacinto High School in 1939. After graduation he found work in several capacities and voluntarily gave up an excellent position in the aircraft industry to serve in the military after Pearl Harbor. He had a long, rewarding and wonderful life. He was a WWII veteran who proudly served our nation honorably in the U. S. Navy including participating in the bloody Tarawa campaign. Following the end of the Second World War, he attended the University of Redlands where he earned letter in five different sports as well as his Bachelor’s Degree in physical education. He was inducted into the University Of Redlands Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the 1949 University of Redlands football team that played in the Pineapple Bowl in Honolulu, HI. He chose education as his career path and taught mathematics courses, wood shop and physical education in high schools in Victorville, Banning, Bellflower, Tustin and Mission Viejo. He continually pursued furthering his education and ultimately earned the equivalent of five Masters Degrees. He continually climbed the career ladder and retired as a principal. His biggest love during his career in education came through his coaching cross country and track and field. A skilled organizer, he initiated the National Records Relays, and unprecedented track and field meet that gathered high school athletes and teams from across southern California and the nation. He coached five athletes in track and field that would go on to the Olympics including two that brought a gold medal home to America. Upon retirement, he returned to the Hemet/San Jacinto valley before relocating to Morrisville, MO in 2005. Later he moved to Bolivar. He was preceded in death by parents, his wife Dorothy. Surviving is his sons, Bruce and Tom, one sister, Betty Way of Oceanside, CA and several Cousins Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 24, 2014 at 2:00 pm in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Gary Urich officiating. Burial will be in the Crestview Memorial Gardens under the care and direction of the Butler Funeral Home of Bolivar. Visitation will be held one hour prior to funeral services, starting at 1:00 pm. Dwight would like for Memorial contributions made to http://www.puppiesbehindbars.com/home. This organization takes puppies to federal penitentiaries to live with inmates who train them to become assistance dogs for our injured and maimed veterans of the Gulf Wars. Friends may sign the guest book at www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

Dwight Edward McCracken

October 17, 1921 - October 17, 2014