Leonard Earl "Mac" McCrary

Leonard was born June 26, 1921 in Thomas, Oklahoma, the fourth child of Mack and Bessie McCrary. The family moved to Seminole County, Oklahoma in 1925, where Leonard was raised on a farm. He graduated from rural Excelsior High School in 1939.

Leonard attended Oklahoma A&M prior to enlisting in the Army Air Corps in early 1941. During World War II, he served as an Airplane Mechanics Instructor in the US and as a C-47 Flight Engineer in England, France, and Germany. After the war, he continued to serve in the Texas National Guard, and retired in the early 1960’s with the rank of captain. Leonard received the following decorations during his 20+ years of military service: American Defense Medal; National Defense Medal; Good Conduct Medal; European, African, and Middle Eastern Campaign Award (which included five major campaigns: Normandy, Rhineland, Ardennes, Northern France, and Central Europe); World War II Victory Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal; French Liberation Medal, and finally the prestigious Bronze Star. Leonard worked for Conoco for many years in Kamay, Wichita Falls, Pecos, Ozona, and Odessa, Texas; Hobbs, New Mexico; Stamford, Connecticut, and Sicily, retiring in 1978.

Leonard and Mildred (Midge) Miller were married in Electra on April 5, 1941.

After over 56 years of marriage, Mildred preceded Leonard in death in 1997. They had four children: Earle Lynn Bell (deceased), Michael Leonard McCrary of Austin, Thomas Alton McCrary of Dallas, and Carlton Paul McCrary of Montrose, Colorado. Leonard and Mildred are survived by nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Leonard is also survived by sisters Betty Keske and Maxine Zaffuto of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In 1998, Leonard married his former high school sweetheart, Gertrude (Trudi) Born of Seattle, Washington, and they made their home in Dallas. Trudi preceded him in death earlier this year.

Masonic graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, August 3, 2011 in New Electra Cemetery. Brendan Bell, grandson, will deliver a eulogy. Arrangements are under the direction of Dutton Funeral Home of Iowa Park.

Arrangements under the direction of Dutton Funeral Home, Iowa Park, TX.