Ralph T. McCrary

            Mr. Ralph Thompson McCrary, age 74 of Gainesville, passed away on Monday, October 5, 2015 in Panama City, Florida following a period of declining health.

            Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, October 9, 2015 at 2:00 pm at Cool Springs Baptist Church with interment to follow in the Church Cemetery.  Pastor Ricky Stone and Reverend Franklin Grant will officiate.  The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 8, 2015 from 2 - 5 pm and 6 - 9 pm, at Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501.

            Mr. McCrary was born January 10, 1941 in Gainesville, Georgia to the late Candler Thompson McCrary and Marguerite Whelchel McCrary.  He was a 1962 graduate of North Georgia College and spent 31 years as an educator in White, Hall, and Lumpkin Counties.  Mr. McCrary was a teacher, principal and mentor to many students during those years, especially in the 24 years he spent in Lumpkin County.  He was also very active and involved in several state level education organizations serving as a founding board member and president of the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders (GAEL), President of the Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals (GAESP), and served in many other capacities in the GAEL organization.

            Pop loved woodworking and creating beautiful pieces of furniture for his family and friends.  He could always be found spending his retired years in his shop creating, building and repairing cabinets and furniture.  He also loved his family and grandchildren and spent much of his time supporting their sports and activities.

Mr. McCrary is survived by his loving wife of almost 53 years, Margaret Elizabeth Grant McCrary, sons and daughters-in-law, John & Deb McCrary and Ken & Charlotte McCrary.  Also survived by grandchildren, Walker & Daniel McCrary, Seth & Beccah McCrary, Sara McCrary and Robbie & Austin Holcombe and great-grandchild Olivia McCrary.  Also survived by brother & sister-in-law, Richard & Mary McCrary, in-laws, Joyce & George Cochran, Freddie & Tommy Pinson, Janice & Ronnie Lee, Jerry & Pat Grant, Franklin & Peggy Grant and a host of nieces, nephews and other friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Cool Springs Baptist Church Fellowship Hall Building fund – c/o Todd Clark, 4581 Will Wallace Road, Gainesville, GA 30506, Fellowship of Christian Athletes - #ORG 10812800 (UNG/Lumpkin) P.O. Box 656, Oakwood, GA 30566 or Eagle Ranch – P.O. Box 7200, Chestnut Mountain, GA 30502.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA  30504 is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.