Thurman W. McCracken

Waynesville-Thurman Wales McCracken passed away peacefully on November 4, 2014 at CarePartners Hospice in Asheville at eighty-seven years of age. The son of Vera and Jarvis McCracken, he was born and raised in Haywood County, the only place he ever truly wanted to live. A man of Christian faith, Thurman grew up with three sisters: Elsie, Edith and Edna. As a teenager, he dreamed of starting his own country and western band. Though this dream never came to fruition, country music remained a lifetime love. He had a dry sense of humor, loved to read and solve crossword puzzles - a hobby passed down from his mother. Throughout his life, Thurman was proud of having served his country in the United States Air Force. His twenty-one year career took him to Japan, Korea, Alaska, and Canada, as well as several state-side bases. He was awarded two Air Force Commendation Medals for meritorious service: one in the Korean Tactical Air Control System, 314 Air Division, Osan Air Base, Korea and a second as Air Surveillance Technician while assigned to the Directorate of Operations 20th Air Division, Fort Lee, Virginia. Thurman was a loving father of two daughters, Donna McCracken (deceased) and Anita McGue of Colorado, a loving uncle, brother and son. He is survived by his daughter Anita McGue, his sister Edna McCracken, three nieces and other close family. The family sends thanks to the many compassionate souls who cared for Thurman in recent years. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, November 8, at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park in Waynesville. In lieu of flowers, donations in Thurman’s honor can be made to CarePartners Hospice in Asheville NC http://www.carepartners.org/services_hospice.html or the Air Force Aid Society http://www.afas.org/ways-to-give. Garrett Funerals and Cremations is caring for the McCracken family. www.garrettfuneralsandcremations.com