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Obituary For Joe Pat McCracken
Joe Pat McCracken, 83, of Plano, Texas, passed away on June 25, 2024, entering the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to many, Joe leaves behind a legacy of devotion, hard work, and cherished memories.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, June 29th, from 6-8 PM at White Funeral Home in Bowie, Texas. The service will be held on Sunday, June 30th, at 2 PM at the First Baptist Church of Bowie, with son-in-law Tom Grace officiating.
Born on December 28, 1940, to Bonnie Mae and Oscar Fred McCracken in Bowie, Texas, Joe graduated from Bowie High School in 1959. He continued his education at Arlington State College (now the University of Texas at Arlington) before joining the Texas National Guard. Joe completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, then Fort Dix, New Jersey. He was later mobilized with the 49th Armored Division to Fort Polk, Louisiana in August 1961.
On November 10, 1961, Joe married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Dorothy (Dot) Overstreet. They were blessed with two children: Lori Michelle in 1967 and Stephen Chad in 1971.
Joe's career as a service engineer for Industrial Woodworking Company in Garland, Texas, allowed him to travel extensively. His work took him across the United States and to far-flung locations including New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, Prince Edward Island, Canada, and Chile. Later, he co-founded a consulting business, continuing his international travels. Before retirement, Joe briefly worked for Kennametal, Inc.
An avid Texas Longhorns fan, Joe proudly attended the last Texas A&M vs. Texas rivalry game in College Station with his family in 2011. As the sole Texas fan in a house divided, he never let his family forget the Longhorns' victory that day. Hook ‘em!
Joe's warmth, humor, and love for his family will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents James and Mary McCracken and Henry and Sarah Brown; twin sisters Sarah Henry and Sandra Briggs; and infant grandson Stephen Cash McCracken.
Joe is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Dot; daughter Lori Grace (Tom); son Chad (Whitney); eight adoring grandchildren: Cade, Ty, and Presli Grace; Taelor Martinez (Chris); Emma and Addi Short; and Gracie and Kaci McCracken; great-grandchildren Lyla and Kason Martinez.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie, Texas.
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Kristi Clay sent Large Mixed Dish Garden for Joe Pat McCracken - June 28, 2024
In celebration of Joe's life!
Love, The Chicks Kristi, Mollie, Tammy & Kim
Susan Starnes sent America the Beautiful for Joe Pat McCracken - June 28, 2024
May your cherished memories comfort you during this difficult time. Our thoughts are prayers are with the entire family. David & Susan Starnes; Michael & Delaney Burke, Hadley, Logan, Ramsey
Melissa Engleman sent Simply Elegant Spathiphyllum for Joe Pat McCracken - June 28, 2024
Words cannot express how deeply sorry we are for your loss. Uncle Joe's memory will forever live in our hearts and in the cherished moments we shared. Love, Melissa, Clyde & family
Ocean Breeze Spray was sent for Joe Pat McCracken - June 28, 2024
The Peace Lily was sent for Joe Pat McCracken - June 28, 2024
I grafted myself to the McCracken tree sometime in my 6th or 7th grade school years...I have no memory of the meeting...just the constancy from then on throughout our school years. Like the styrofoam cooler that never leaves the back of the truck I was just always there...in a pallet on the floor of Lori's bedroom sleeping over...at the stove learning how to make queso (don't forget the milk)...to the racetrack...to Bowie...huddled around Nanny McCracken's one window A/C unit trying to catch a breeze in the sweltering Texas summer...to Nanny Overstreet's house where I saw firsthand where Dot got her gentle spirit...even to the hospital hallways when Joe had his first heart attack. You know Dot must have been thinking don't this kid have a home?! She even wants to come to the hospital with us??? They were always warm, welcoming and I was treated to the same parenting as Lori and Chad- a scolding when I needed it and loving kindness too.
Joe was fun, funny, stern when he needed to be, grumpy if he felt like it and loved his people something fierce. I was lucky to be one of those people. I assumed it was just for a season while we were growing up. We all left home and grew up and had our own families...but I learned something later in life I had never known about Joe...his loyalty.
I am rarely on social media but every year on Nov 1st I get a Facebook message for my birthday from Joe telling me to have a special day and sometimes a fun memory he had of me growing up. I cherish this kindness and loyalty.
Joe and Dot taught me that family is a choice and I'm better for them having chosen to let me be a part of theirs for many formative years.
Joe had a giant heart and he will forever be a giant in mine! Kristi Vlay
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