Kurt Allen McCray

Kurt A. McCray, 53, a life-long resident of Loami, passed away Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield. Kurt was born a beloved Special son on May 20, 1965, in Springfield to the late James Fred and Marjorie H. Murphy McCray. Kurt graduated from Graham School, District 117 in Jacksonville, on May 28, 1986. He always enjoyed going to the friends and family activities with his brother-in-law, Jack, at the Illinois National Guard at Camp Lincoln. Kurt was made an honorary member in the Illinois Army National Guard with the rank of Sargent on October 18, 2002. He was the Grand Marshall of the 4th of July parade in Loami in 2015. He loved the Redbirds (St Louis Cardinals), Denver Broncos and Big Boys (WWE wrestling), country music and dancing. Christmas was his favorite holiday and he loved HO-HO (Santa). When he was young, he liked to go coon hunting with his dad and uncle Ed. He loved to ride tandem on the road grader around Loami township with Roy Edwards (deceased), when his dad was the road commissioner. Kurtie was a Special Gift from God and a blessing not only to his family, but everyone who met him. Kurt will be greatly missed by his sister and brother-in-law Cheryl (Jack) Cummings of Loami, who were his caregivers for 7 years; brother, James R. Cray (Marj) McCray of Loami; nieces and nephews, Rhonda (Clint) Johnsey, James Ben McCray, Kelly McCray (DJ) Beck, Alexa Elam, Megan Garvin and Ashley Malloy; great nieces and nephews, Kelsey McCray, James McCray; aunts Mary Annette (George, deceased) McCray of Loami, Evelyn (Ed, deceased) McCray of Loami, Mary (Pete, deceased) McCray of Gainesville, MO; aunt Rosemary (Ken) Locker of Parachute, CO; several cousins. In Kurts honor, his family asks for guests to wear their favorite Cardinal themed clothing or red! His family will greet friends from 5 7 p.m., Friday, June 14, at Staab Polk Memorial Home, 8855 State Route 4, Chatham, IL. Visitation will again be held from 10am, until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 15, at Staab Polk Memorial Home, with Rev. Charlie Duggins officiating. Burial will follow at Sulphur Springs Cemetery in Loami, with his parents. Memorials may be made to Loami Fire Department, 101 S. Main St., Loami, IL 62661 or Loami Food Bank, 106 South Main Street, Loami. Sleep, Little Brother, and know that part of us goes with you. We Love you, Kurtie!