Funeral service for Albert "Ward" McCracken, 95, Lawton, will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, November 18, at Olivet Baptist Church with Rev. David McCracken and Rev. Kenn Lane officiating.
Mr. McCracken passed into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior early Wednesday morning with his wife Sarah at his side.
Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.
The family will greet friends from 2-4 pm Sunday, November 17, at the funeral home.
Born in Belton, Texas, on April 27, 1918, Ward was the sixth of 10 children born to Albert Jerome and Mary Julia Ross McCracken who moved from Belton to make their home in Lawton in the early 1930's. Ward attended Elgin High School where he was a star athlete and played on Elgin's State Champion Baseball Team as catcher in 1936. In 1942 he began his service of four years in the Air Force and married Sarah Reed of Elgin. The two of them were stationed in California, Texas, Mississippi and South Carolina before returning to Oklahoma. Soon after, Ward became an avid Cowboy and Sooner fan after graduating from OSU in 1949 with a degree in Education, and then on to earn his Masters and Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma. As part of the Greatest Generation, the longtime Lawtonian served his love of education as a teacher and coach in Geronimo, Oklahoma. He continued his teaching career in the Lawton Public Schools first as a teacher at Taft Elementary, then principal of Jefferson and Roosevelt elementary schools. Ward then moved on to the Lawton Board of Education as director of purchasing and director of personnel. He later served as superintendent of Apache Public Schools. During his teaching career he was honored as teacher of the year and educator of the year. He was president of the Oklahoma Association of School Business Officials in 1967. He was also instrumental in founding the Lawton Teachers Credit Union and served as their president, 1965 and 1966.
Following his education career, he joined the Department of Human Services where he retired in 1986. He was an avid horseman and a member of the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association, showing and racing horses in Oklahoma and New Mexico. After serving as a long-time member and deacon of Sunset Baptist Church, Ward was a founding member of Lawton's Olivet Baptist Church where he has served as chairman of deacons, Sunday School teacher, and many volunteer positions. In our community, Ward had been active in the Foster Grandparents Program, Chairman of the YMCA Day Camp, Kiwanis Club Member and started the first parent-teacher association at Jefferson Elementary School. He was the "rock" of the family when it came to education, never taking his opportunity to attend college for granted and instilling the thirst for education to his children and grandchildren. His love of sports led him to coach little league sports and in recent years to attend the golf tournaments of his grandsons in grand fashion. Ward will be remembered for his love of storytelling and politics, a great competitor at dominos, cards and washers, keeping up with the family history and having his Bible near at hand. He affectionately called his daughter, "Sister," and continued that legacy with his granddaughters and great-granddaughters.
He is survived by his wife Sarah; a brother, Lester McCracken of Cache, a daughter, Pam McCracken Wigington and son-in-law Ron Wigington, two sons James "Jimmy" McCracken, Lawton; and Greg McCracken and daughter-in-law Kathy McCracken of Oklahoma City; his brother-in-law, Ike Reed and sister-in-law Blanche Reed of Meers; and a host of very special nieces and nephews. At his death, he was Papa to Baylor McCracken, Dustin Wigington, Caden McCracken and Logan McCracken all of Oklahoma City, Courtney Duffy of Tulsa, Erin McCracken of New York City, and Christina Stamps of Lawton, and eight great grandchildren: Cole and Cameron Stamps, Lawton; Taylor and Ashley Wigington of Oklahoma City; Lauren, Kate and Emery Duffy of Tulsa; and Berlyn McCracken of Meers.
He was preceded in death by his parents; eight brothers: Bennie, Riley, Ross, Bill, Jim, Terry, Calvin, Chester; and a sister, Ophelia Vinnie "Sis" McLean.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Olivet Baptist Church Education Fund, 320 NW 67th Street, Lawton Oklahoma 73505. The McCracken family wishes to thank all of those who offered support during recent months, including the wonderful assistance of Quantum Home Healthcare and Faith Hospice.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Mr. McCracken passed into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior early Wednesday morning with his wife Sarah at his side.
Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.
The family will greet friends from 2-4 pm Sunday, November 17, at the funeral home.
Born in Belton, Texas, on April 27, 1918, Ward was the sixth of 10 children born to Albert Jerome and Mary Julia Ross McCracken who moved from Belton to make their home in Lawton in the early 1930's. Ward attended Elgin High School where he was a star athlete and played on Elgin's State Champion Baseball Team as catcher in 1936. In 1942 he began his service of four years in the Air Force and married Sarah Reed of Elgin. The two of them were stationed in California, Texas, Mississippi and South Carolina before returning to Oklahoma. Soon after, Ward became an avid Cowboy and Sooner fan after graduating from OSU in 1949 with a degree in Education, and then on to earn his Masters and Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma. As part of the Greatest Generation, the longtime Lawtonian served his love of education as a teacher and coach in Geronimo, Oklahoma. He continued his teaching career in the Lawton Public Schools first as a teacher at Taft Elementary, then principal of Jefferson and Roosevelt elementary schools. Ward then moved on to the Lawton Board of Education as director of purchasing and director of personnel. He later served as superintendent of Apache Public Schools. During his teaching career he was honored as teacher of the year and educator of the year. He was president of the Oklahoma Association of School Business Officials in 1967. He was also instrumental in founding the Lawton Teachers Credit Union and served as their president, 1965 and 1966.
Following his education career, he joined the Department of Human Services where he retired in 1986. He was an avid horseman and a member of the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association, showing and racing horses in Oklahoma and New Mexico. After serving as a long-time member and deacon of Sunset Baptist Church, Ward was a founding member of Lawton's Olivet Baptist Church where he has served as chairman of deacons, Sunday School teacher, and many volunteer positions. In our community, Ward had been active in the Foster Grandparents Program, Chairman of the YMCA Day Camp, Kiwanis Club Member and started the first parent-teacher association at Jefferson Elementary School. He was the "rock" of the family when it came to education, never taking his opportunity to attend college for granted and instilling the thirst for education to his children and grandchildren. His love of sports led him to coach little league sports and in recent years to attend the golf tournaments of his grandsons in grand fashion. Ward will be remembered for his love of storytelling and politics, a great competitor at dominos, cards and washers, keeping up with the family history and having his Bible near at hand. He affectionately called his daughter, "Sister," and continued that legacy with his granddaughters and great-granddaughters.
He is survived by his wife Sarah; a brother, Lester McCracken of Cache, a daughter, Pam McCracken Wigington and son-in-law Ron Wigington, two sons James "Jimmy" McCracken, Lawton; and Greg McCracken and daughter-in-law Kathy McCracken of Oklahoma City; his brother-in-law, Ike Reed and sister-in-law Blanche Reed of Meers; and a host of very special nieces and nephews. At his death, he was Papa to Baylor McCracken, Dustin Wigington, Caden McCracken and Logan McCracken all of Oklahoma City, Courtney Duffy of Tulsa, Erin McCracken of New York City, and Christina Stamps of Lawton, and eight great grandchildren: Cole and Cameron Stamps, Lawton; Taylor and Ashley Wigington of Oklahoma City; Lauren, Kate and Emery Duffy of Tulsa; and Berlyn McCracken of Meers.
He was preceded in death by his parents; eight brothers: Bennie, Riley, Ross, Bill, Jim, Terry, Calvin, Chester; and a sister, Ophelia Vinnie "Sis" McLean.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Olivet Baptist Church Education Fund, 320 NW 67th Street, Lawton Oklahoma 73505. The McCracken family wishes to thank all of those who offered support during recent months, including the wonderful assistance of Quantum Home Healthcare and Faith Hospice.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Funeral service for Albert "Ward" McCracken, 95, Lawton, will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, November 18, at Olivet Baptist Church with Rev. David McCracken and Rev. Kenn Lane officiating.
Mr. McCracken passed into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior early Wednesday morning with his wife Sarah at his side.
Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.
The family will greet friends from 2-4 pm Sunday, November 17, at the funeral home.
Born in Belton, Texas, on April 27, 1918, Ward was the sixth of 10 children born to Albert Jerome and Mary Julia Ross McCracken who moved from Belton to make their home in Lawton in the early 1930's. Ward attended Elgin High School where he was a star athlete and played on Elgin's State Champion Baseball Team as catcher in 1936. In 1942 he began his service of four years in the Air Force and married Sarah Reed of Elgin. The two of them were stationed in California, Texas, Mississippi and South Carolina before returning to Oklahoma. Soon after, Ward became an avid Cowboy and Sooner fan after graduating from OSU in 1949 with a degree in Education, and then on to earn his Masters and Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma. As part of the Greatest Generation, the longtime Lawtonian served his love of education as a teacher and coach in Geronimo, Oklahoma. He continued his teaching career in the Lawton Public Schools first as a teacher at Taft Elementary, then principal of Jefferson and Roosevelt elementary schools. Ward then moved on to the Lawton Board of Education as director of purchasing and director of personnel. He later served as superintendent of Apache Public Schools. During his teaching career he was honored as teacher of the year and educator of the year. He was president of the Oklahoma Association of School Business Officials in 1967. He was also instrumental in founding the Lawton Teachers Credit Union and served as their president, 1965 and 1966.
Following his education career, he joined the Department of Human Services where he retired in 1986. He was an avid horseman and a member of the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association, showing and racing horses in Oklahoma and New Mexico. After serving as a long-time member and deacon of Sunset Baptist Church, Ward was a founding member of Lawton's Olivet Baptist Church where he has served as chairman of deacons, Sunday School teacher, and many volunteer positions. In our community, Ward had been active in the Foster Grandparents Program, Chairman of the YMCA Day Camp, Kiwanis Club Member and started the first parent-teacher association at Jefferson Elementary School. He was the "rock" of the family when it came to education, never taking his opportunity to attend college for granted and instilling the thirst for education to his children and grandchildren. His love of sports led him to coach little league sports and in recent years to attend the golf tournaments of his grandsons in grand fashion. Ward will be remembered for his love of storytelling and politics, a great competitor at dominos, cards and washers, keeping up with the family history and having his Bible near at hand. He affectionately called his daughter, "Sister," and continued that legacy with his granddaughters and great-granddaughters.
He is survived by his wife Sarah; a brother, Lester McCracken of Cache, a daughter, Pam McCracken Wigington and son-in-law Ron Wigington, two sons James "Jimmy" McCracken, Lawton; and Greg McCracken and daughter-in-law Kathy McCracken of Oklahoma City; his brother-in-law, Ike Reed and sister-in-law Blanche Reed of Meers; and a host of very special nieces and nephews. At his death, he was Papa to Baylor McCracken, Dustin Wigington, Caden McCracken and Logan McCracken all of Oklahoma City, Courtney Duffy of Tulsa, Erin McCracken of New York City, and Christina Stamps of Lawton, and eight great grandchildren: Cole and Cameron Stamps, Lawton; Taylor and Ashley Wigington of Oklahoma City; Lauren, Kate and Emery Duffy of Tulsa; and Berlyn McCracken of Meers.
He was preceded in death by his parents; eight brothers: Bennie, Riley, Ross, Bill, Jim, Terry, Calvin, Chester; and a sister, Ophelia Vinnie "Sis" McLean.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Olivet Baptist Church Education Fund, 320 NW 67th Street, Lawton Oklahoma 73505. The McCracken family wishes to thank all of those who offered support during recent months, including the wonderful assistance of Quantum Home Healthcare and Faith Hospice.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Mr. McCracken passed into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior early Wednesday morning with his wife Sarah at his side.
Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.
The family will greet friends from 2-4 pm Sunday, November 17, at the funeral home.
Born in Belton, Texas, on April 27, 1918, Ward was the sixth of 10 children born to Albert Jerome and Mary Julia Ross McCracken who moved from Belton to make their home in Lawton in the early 1930's. Ward attended Elgin High School where he was a star athlete and played on Elgin's State Champion Baseball Team as catcher in 1936. In 1942 he began his service of four years in the Air Force and married Sarah Reed of Elgin. The two of them were stationed in California, Texas, Mississippi and South Carolina before returning to Oklahoma. Soon after, Ward became an avid Cowboy and Sooner fan after graduating from OSU in 1949 with a degree in Education, and then on to earn his Masters and Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma. As part of the Greatest Generation, the longtime Lawtonian served his love of education as a teacher and coach in Geronimo, Oklahoma. He continued his teaching career in the Lawton Public Schools first as a teacher at Taft Elementary, then principal of Jefferson and Roosevelt elementary schools. Ward then moved on to the Lawton Board of Education as director of purchasing and director of personnel. He later served as superintendent of Apache Public Schools. During his teaching career he was honored as teacher of the year and educator of the year. He was president of the Oklahoma Association of School Business Officials in 1967. He was also instrumental in founding the Lawton Teachers Credit Union and served as their president, 1965 and 1966.
Following his education career, he joined the Department of Human Services where he retired in 1986. He was an avid horseman and a member of the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association, showing and racing horses in Oklahoma and New Mexico. After serving as a long-time member and deacon of Sunset Baptist Church, Ward was a founding member of Lawton's Olivet Baptist Church where he has served as chairman of deacons, Sunday School teacher, and many volunteer positions. In our community, Ward had been active in the Foster Grandparents Program, Chairman of the YMCA Day Camp, Kiwanis Club Member and started the first parent-teacher association at Jefferson Elementary School. He was the "rock" of the family when it came to education, never taking his opportunity to attend college for granted and instilling the thirst for education to his children and grandchildren. His love of sports led him to coach little league sports and in recent years to attend the golf tournaments of his grandsons in grand fashion. Ward will be remembered for his love of storytelling and politics, a great competitor at dominos, cards and washers, keeping up with the family history and having his Bible near at hand. He affectionately called his daughter, "Sister," and continued that legacy with his granddaughters and great-granddaughters.
He is survived by his wife Sarah; a brother, Lester McCracken of Cache, a daughter, Pam McCracken Wigington and son-in-law Ron Wigington, two sons James "Jimmy" McCracken, Lawton; and Greg McCracken and daughter-in-law Kathy McCracken of Oklahoma City; his brother-in-law, Ike Reed and sister-in-law Blanche Reed of Meers; and a host of very special nieces and nephews. At his death, he was Papa to Baylor McCracken, Dustin Wigington, Caden McCracken and Logan McCracken all of Oklahoma City, Courtney Duffy of Tulsa, Erin McCracken of New York City, and Christina Stamps of Lawton, and eight great grandchildren: Cole and Cameron Stamps, Lawton; Taylor and Ashley Wigington of Oklahoma City; Lauren, Kate and Emery Duffy of Tulsa; and Berlyn McCracken of Meers.
He was preceded in death by his parents; eight brothers: Bennie, Riley, Ross, Bill, Jim, Terry, Calvin, Chester; and a sister, Ophelia Vinnie "Sis" McLean.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Olivet Baptist Church Education Fund, 320 NW 67th Street, Lawton Oklahoma 73505. The McCracken family wishes to thank all of those who offered support during recent months, including the wonderful assistance of Quantum Home Healthcare and Faith Hospice.
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