McCracken, Walter Dean

Walter Dean McCracken passed away on October 10, 2008. He was 86 years old. Walt was born in Bridgeville, Pa., on December 17, 1921 and moved with his wife, Betty and two daughters to Houston in 1963. He was employed by Cameron Iron Works for 19 years until he retired in 1982.

Walt was predeceased by his beloved wife Betty in December of 1993. After moving to Blacksburg, Va., when he married Kathryn Briscoe, he was active in the Lions Club, Blacksburg United Methodist Church and community organizations.

He is survived by his extended family in Virginia; his wife, Kathryn; children, Barbara and Wally Dryman, Kathryn and Sean Kelley, Robert and Lyn Briscoe; and seven grandchildren, Jessica, Katy, Buddy, Mikaela, Robin, Megan and Addie. Walter is also survived by his two daughters, Judy Davis of Kingwood, Texas and Debbie and Ernie LePire of Silver Spring, Md.; his son-in-law, Steve Davis and wife Linda of Kingwood, Texas; his four grandsons, Taylor Adams, Aaron and Kasey Davis, Todd and Heather Davis, and Brad and Christine Davis; and his three great-grandchildren, Rhian, Max and Brooklyn. These children, grand-children and great-grandchildren were the light of his life and he spoke of them daily with great pride.

The family wishes to thank all those who made the world a brighter place for Walt these last few months.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 11 a.m. in the McCoy Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Herbert Hobbs officiating. Private family burial will be held at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston, Texas. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Blacksburg Host Lions Club, P.O. Box 411, Blacksburg, Va., 24063 , or to the Blacksburg United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 931, Blacksburg, Va., 24063. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Drive, SW, Blacksburg.