Col. Earl Clifton McCrary

August 8, 1925 – February 2, 2014

Colonel Earl C. McCrary, US Army Retired, passed away on February 2, 2014 at the age of 88 in Birmingham, Alabama. Graveside funeral services, with military honors, will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2014 at 1:00 PM (EST) Ft. Benning in Columbus, Georgia.

Colonel McCrary, a native of Tifton, Georgia, was born on August 8, 1925 in Colquitt County, Georgia and was the son of Elbert C. McCrary and Ada Thomas McCrary, both deceased. He was also preceded in death by his wife Shirley Lanham McCrary; three brothers, Jewel McCrary, Worth McCrary, Howard McCrary and one sister, Verna Lee Bennett.

Colonel McCrary had a long and illustrious career serving his country. He entered the Army as an Enlisted Man in May 1945. Following Basic Training, he served in Military Police Criminal Investigation units in Berlin and Frankfurt until his entry into Officer Candidate School in February 1949. He was commissioned in the Field Artillery upon completion of OCS, Ft. Riley, KS, in August 1949. Subsequent assignments were with Field Artillery organizations in the 3rd Inf. Div., Ft. Benning, GA and Korea; 47th Inf. Div., Fort Rucker, AL; and the 33rd Inf. RCT, Ft. Kobbe, Canal Zone. He was integrated into the Regular Army while serving at Ft. Kobbe. Upon his return to the US, he attended the FA Officer Career Course, and then was assigned to service with Air Defense Artillery in July 1956. Following graduation from the Regular Course, U.S. Army CGSC, Ft. Leavenworth, KS in June 1961, he served consecutively as the Aide-de-Camp, Chief, Defense Atomic Support Agency, The Pentagon; Psywar-Civic Action Staff Officer, OACS, J-3, HQ USMACV, Saigon; HQ DA Staff Officer, The Pentagon; and Battalion Commander, Ft. Benning, GA. Following selection for promotion to Colonel, he was assigned as Senior Advisor, 167th Spt. Bde, AL ARNG, Birmingham, in August 1970, where he served until his retirement January 31, 1975.

Colonel McCrary is survived by four sisters, Doris Johnson of Tallahassee, Florida, Ruby Jean Summers of Paris, Texas, Joyce Hall (John R.) of Tifton, Georgia and Mary Lou Lux of Apex, North Carolina; one brother, E.J. McCrary (Mary Sue) of Waco, Texas; sister-in-law Cora Belle McCrary of Tifton, Georgia and many other family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers the family suggest that donations be made to Evercare Hospice, 33 Inverness Center Parkway, Suite 350, Hoover, AL 35242

Funeral arrangements under the direction of Ridout’s Valley Chapel – Homewood, AL

www.ridoutsvalleychapel.com