Gary Leroy Mccracken
Gary Leroy Mccracken
Gary
Leroy McCracken, 74, of Boise, Idaho passed away on November 29, 2018 with his
family by his side.
Gary was born February 9, 1944, in Boise, to Bonnie and Leroy McCracken. He attended Garfield Elementary before moving with mother and step-father Clarence “Skinner” Block to various military bases. Gary particularly enjoyed his years in Panama where he participated in JROTC. His family eventually moved back to Idaho and he graduated from Boise High School in 1963. He went on to attend a mechanical program and received a diploma from Boise Junior College in 1965. During his schooling there he worked in BJC facilities with Charles Brown, his grandfather. Some of his jobs included painting the wooden football stadium and planting many trees on campus. He joined the Idaho Army National Guard in 1965. After college he worked at Fitz Auto Supply and Service Parts before becoming employed full time with the Idaho Army National Guard as a technician working on heavy machinery, including tanks. He was passionate about being a part of the military and loved working as a mechanic. He retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 Artillery Supervisor in 2004.
He
met the love of his life, Suzanne McCracken (Howerton), in 1963 and they wed in
1966 in Christ’s Chapel on the BSU campus. They had two daughters,
Annette and Beverly. Gary loved cars from an early age and spent his life
collecting and restoring old Chevys. Family vacations often
included trips to car shows and conventions. He was most proud of
his 1957 Chevy Nomad that he purchased in 1966 and eventually restored.
Gary loved spending time with his “car friends” and was always willing to
help them turn a wrench on their rides. Gary was so knowledgeable
that he was the car-guy that other car-guys would call for help.
It was very important to Gary that his family knew how to maintain cars
as well so he often gave lessons on changing oil, replacing air filters and
rotating tires.
He
is survived by his wife Suzanne; daughters Annette (Rich) Rice and Beverly
(Eric) Glouser. Additional family includes stepfather Earl Corl, sister Shiela
(Tony) Stoeger, brother Ken (Darla) Block, brother-in-law Bruce (Mary) Howerton,
8 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and
nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandparents and his
parents.
A
viewing will be held on Monday, December 3
rd
from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
and service on Tuesday, December 4
th
at 11:00 am at Alden-Waggoner
Funeral Home. Burial at Veteran’s Cemetery at 1:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to Alzheimer’s
Foundation of America.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gary Leroy Mccracken, please visit our flower store.
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