Edward L. Mccrory

Edward L. McCrory passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, at Glenn Arbor Hospice Residence.

He was born June 29, 1921 in Grainola, Oklahoma. The son of Lon W. McCrory and Jeanette Harriet ( Matthews) McCrory, he grew up in Oklahoma and Missouri. After graduating from high school, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps, and was honorably discharged nearly five years later, having spent three of those years in the China-Burma-India theatre of war. He graduated from the University of Missouri famed School of Journalism in 1949, worked for newspapers in Kansas City and Chicago, then joined a group of insurance companies in Chicago as director of advertising and sales promotion.

In Chicago, he met his love, Patricia Ann Curtis, and they were married in 1950. Ed, Pat and their two beloved children, Brad and Linda, moved to Battle Creek when Ed accepted a position with the Wolverine-Federal Insurance Companies. He was a senior vice president of Federal Home Insurance Companies, and retired as senior executive of corporate communications with 28 years of service. He was active in community and industry organizations, serving on boards of many. A trustee of the Michigan Heart Association, he was honored as Volunteer of the Year in 1974. An early advocate of low-fat diets, he helped create a heart healthy diet program," Eat Right Live Longer," that was presented to medical and public groups
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He was an avid golfer and longtime member of the Battle Creek Country Club, and was especially proud of six holes-in-one. He and his wife were married 70 years. They visited many parts of the world, and after retirement wintered in Florida. He was a member of the First Presbyterian church for 61 years.

He is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Ann, son, Brad (Roxanna) of Tulsa, Oklahoma, daughter, Linda (Mike) McDermott of Portage, Michigan, five grandchildren: Jessica, Amanda, and Rachel of Tulsa, Kelly and Connor of Portage; and great-grandson, Graham Bradley Adams of Tulsa.

His parents, brothers, William, Frank, Gene and sister, Sue Manning preceded him in death.

Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be held at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, 2020. Inurnment will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery with full military honors by Fort Custer Honor Guard and the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard..

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or Humane Society of South Central Michigan. Arrangements are by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.