He is survived by his three children—Gregory, Christopher, and Melissa—four grandchildren—Fabian, Isabella, Alexander, and Austin—and three siblings—Lisa, Melanie, and Derek. His oldest sister, Tanya, got there just a little while before him. He also left behind his little wire-haired terrier, Maddy.
Don was born on January 21st, 1957, in Kansas City, MO, to Joyce and Don McCracken Sr. The eldest of five children, he grew up resolute and responsible. After graduating from Turner High School, he got married to Pamela Hendon, enlisted in the Navy and worked as an electrical technician, moved to Florida and California, had a kid, worked for Shell Oil, had two more kids, moved around West Texas and New Mexico, and eventually settled around Houston. He and Pam put down roots and raised a family. He slowly furthered his education, he braved his kids’ interminable swim meets and 100-degree soccer tournaments, and he worked on his golf game. Things changed. He and Pam divorced. He remarried and helped his kids as they found their ways in the world. He was fired unceremoniously from Shell after more than 20 years of service (which he never forgave). He threw himself into new work. He weathered change. He worked diligently and raised his children with a balance of compassion and challenge. Whether the wind was at his back or in his face, Don moved ahead and expected those around him to do the same.
Don was clever. He was good with words, and quick, with a remarkable talent for absorbing conversation around him in silence then jumping in out of nowhere with a devastating witticism. He also carried a few perfect jokes in his pocket and took them out at just the right times. Even though they were weathered from decades of use and reuse, they always felt surprising and fresh. Something more than “dad jokes”; they were “Don jokes.” A devoted KC Chiefs fan, he rode that emotional rollercoaster his entire life, witnessing four championships. The last few seasons were pure joy. He was a humanist, who valued and sought out decency in other humans, the writing of James Ellroy, good movies and TV, and, late in his life, cigars and cognac. He hit a hole-in-one at a company golf tournament, walked on glaciers, feared bears, skied the Canadian Rockies, tattooed a bear on his chest, and sat next to Macho Man Randy Savage on an airplane (twice). And that doesn’t even scratch the surface of what his time on Earth was like. He lived an incredible life, and we wish he could have lived more of it.
The family appreciates food and condolences, which may be sent to 13443 Wiley Martin Drive, Cypress, TX 77429. In lieu of flowers, his children ask that you donate to the Houston SPCA (where he met Maddy).
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