James Edward McCracken's Obituary
Dr. J. E. "Ed" McCracken, 87, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at 10:56 p.m. after a brief period of treatment at the Fort Walton Beach Medical Center in Fort Walton Beach, FL, during which his family provided an around the clock loving presence. The family would like to extend its deepest appreciation to all of the Doctors, Nurses, Technicians and Staff of the hospital for the excellent, compassionate care provided to Dr. McCracken and his family. Ed was born in Columbus, Ohio on January 14, 1922, to Charles Chester McCracken and Frances Cleo (Fulton) McCracken. He achieved the rank of Captain while serving in the United States Air Force Weather Service from Aug. 1942 - July 1946. He earned a BS degree from Muskingum College and an MA & a PhD from Ohio State University. He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa Educational Fraternity. Dr. McCracken was an active resident of Valparaiso, FL, and surrounding communities from the time he left his position at Pensacola Junior College to become the Founding President of Okaloosa-Walton Junior College in February, 1964. Twenty-four years later, Ed was honored as President Emeritus of Okaloosa-Walton Junior College when he retired on January 31, 1988. He was voted Man of The Year by the Rotary Club in 1968. Ed's primary focus in life was always his family and home. He played the piano, enjoyed and appreciated many genres of music, woodworking, fishing and cycling. Dr. McCracken had a constant, selfless commitment to encourage and assist each person he met in achieving their dreams. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Niceville, FL. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Ruth Wylie McCracken of Valparaiso, FL; son, Tom McCracken and his wife Elaine of Oakwood, GA and their children Katherine, Michael and Rebecca; son, Bill McCracken of Tallahassee, FL; and daughter, Lynne McCracken Vige and her husband Handlee of Valrico, FL and their children Beth and Tim. If you wish to honor Dr. McCracken's legacy with a gift, the family requested that, in lieu of flowers, you make a donation in his memory to the Ruby Elzy Foundation (tax deductible), 4730 Strayer Drive, Hilliard, OH 43026 or to any charity that you favor which would perpetuate his life's mission to support the ability of individuals to achieve their highest dreams through the development of their talents to benefit and uplift others. Per Dr. McCracken's wishes, there was only a private family graveside memorial service held at the out-of-town ancestral family cemetery. Others were welcomed and encouraged to share their individual condolences and special memories through personal contacts with the family and/or through this website and (or) the following; http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/drjemccracken-remembered/Homepage.aspx
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