Harry Mccracken Sr.

Waynesville, Harry Benjamin McCracken was born in Haywood County November 7, 1922 to Gussie Medford and Weaver McCracken of Clyde, NC. Harry lived and worked in Haywood County his entire life until failing health in his later years. He was a veteran of WWII serving in the US Navy and stationed in Pensacola, Florida and San Diego, California. In 1941, Harry went to work for Dayco Corporation where he started as a mechanic setting machinery in the Textile Department. He returned to Dayco after a 3 year stint in the Navy. His new job at Dayco was in the Payroll Department where he served for over 40 years. In addition to his role as a Paymaster, he was one of two long term CEOs at the Dayco Employees Credit Union. Harry touched many Haywood County lives through the Credit Union making it possible for families to purchase homes, cars and send children to college. He was loved and respected by his fellow employees. Harry married Elise Williams from Tallulah Falls Georgia in 1946. They enjoyed a long and grand marriage and were blessed with a son Harry B. McCracken Jr. and later daughter-in-law Mary Jane and grandsons Harry Benjamin III and Ross Leland. Harry and Elise were lifelong members of the First United Methodist Church and the Asbury Bible Class. They both loved the church and supported it many ways. Harry served the community as well by serving on the housing authority Board of Directors. Some of Harry's happiest times were spent working on projects in his basement workshop. He loved projects and wood working. Harry and Elise loved their trips to Sunset Beach and shared many pleasant times together with family and friends. All that knew Harry know how much he loved humor. He was an honest man and was loved and respected by all that knew him. In addition to his son and family, he survived by his sister Emily Bradley and is preceded in death by Brother Weaver McCracken, Jr and Sister Doris Tucker. Funeral services will be at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, 2015 in the Waynesville Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Dr. Weaver McCracken, III officiating. Burial will follow at Green Hill Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Ben McCracken, Ross McCracken, Lynn Bradley, Ron Breese, Tom Liner and Terry Painter. The family will receive friends 3:00 until 4:30 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Transitions LifeCare of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.

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