Celebrating the life of
Elmo Marcus McCray, Jr.
July 02, 1923 - June 26, 2016
SAVANNAH - Elmo Marcus McCray, Jr. passed away of congestive heart failure on Sunday, June 26, 2016 in Savannah, Georgia, a week before his 93rd birthday.
Born at home on July 2, 1923 to Frances Campbell McCray and Elmo Marcus McCray, Sr. in Fairfield, Alabama, a small town near Birmingham that was planned as a model city by the Tennessee Coal Iron and Railroad Company.
Elmo graduated from Fairfield High School where he played clarinet in the school band and studied piano at the Birmingham Conservatory of Music. He was an avid tennis player as a young man and helped maintain the town’s red clay courts. He was a Sea Scout and Sail Master in his teens and worked summers in the chemistry lab at the Fairfield Plant of US Steel.
He learned to hunt and fish at Smith Lake from his father, and helped him raise and train pointers, setters and hounds for hunting rabbits and game birds. He developed an appreciation and respect for nature on hunting expeditions in the Alabama woods where he became a keen observer of the natural world. He graduated from Gulf Coast Military Academy, Gulf Port, Mississippi, and the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
He served in the Pacific with the United States Navy during WWII aboard the USS LSM 343 as a Pharmacist Mate First Class, and was stationed at the Portsmouth Naval Base in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He was Honorably Discharged from the Navy in 1946 and returned to the University of Alabama where he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.
In 1949 Elmo joined the faculty of Armstrong College, located in the historic district, as a biology professor. During this time he also taught anatomy and physiology at the Candler and St. Joseph Schools of Nursing and worked for the City of Savannah Mosquito Control Department. He participated in the Scottish Games in Savannah for many years a member of the Campbell and McCray clans.
In 1967 he joined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Oatland Island specializing in mosquito born diseases, and later transferred to the CDC Laboratories in Atlanta. During the 1970s he traveled to India where he wrote of his work and experiences for his family in “Letters from India”.
He lived four years in Central America while setting up a tropical disease program for the World Health Organization. While there he developed an interest in wild orchids growing in the forests surrounding volcanos and in colorful molas made by the San Blas Indians.
Elmo retired in 1986 after 30 years of service with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services. He and his family enjoyed a second home in the mountains of Highlands, NC on Turtle Pond Road for many years.
When in his 70s he lost his eyesight, he enrolled in classes at the Savannah School for the Blind where he learned to live independently, and did so for many years at his home in Gordonston. He was an inspiration to family and friends who admired his courage, adaptability and graceful acceptance of this fateful change in his life. He was the consummate teacher, story teller, and family historian.
Elmo was predeceased by his first wife, Ida Elizabeth Fletcher McCray of Kittery Point, Maine and the mother of his five children, his second wife, Thelma Clifford Whitmarsh of Oliver, GA and his sister Frances Echols of Birmingham, Alabama.
He leaves his children, Carol Frances McCray Davies of Savannah, Sherry Michael McCray Kern and John Stanley Kern of Savannah, Arie Elizabeth McCray Hogan and Michael Jerome Hogan of Savannah, Elmo Marcus McCray III and Amy Stanton of Spokane, WA, and Bruce Fletcher McCray and Pamela Burnett-McCray of Richmond Hill. A stepson Robert (Bob) Blaisdell Whitmarsh and his wife Patricia (Patty) Brewer Whitmarsh of Savannah. Martha Lee Whitmarsh Wolfinger, a stepdaughter preceded him in death. He leaves step-grandchildren, Theresa Schaffer Lewis and her husband William (Bill) Lewis of Ocala, FL, Sarah Elizabeth Whitmarsh of Baltimore, MD, and Brian Whitmarsh of Savannah, along with two step great grandchildren. His grandchildren, Christopher Ian Davies of Fort Dodge, IA, Adam Jonathon Davies of Oklahoma City, OK, Britt Thomas Georges and wife Michelle Ann Sobotik Georges of Dallas, Texas, and Chad Marcus McCray, Sean Robert McCray, and Joshua Andrew McCray and wife Katie McCray of Spokan WA. Riley McCray and Joshua Burnett of Richmond Hill, GA, and Stephen Campbell McCray and wife Renee Olliff McCray. And three great grandchildren, Ryan Christopher Davies of CT, Falyn Victoria McCray of Richmond Hill, GA, and Amelia Michael Georges of Dallas, TX.
The family is grateful and would like to thank the many friends, neighbors, volunteers, church members, and his personal caregivers at Marsh View Senior Living and Hospice Savannah for their care and support for many years.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 520 E. Washington Avenue, Savannah, Georgia on Friday, July 15th at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to Hospice Savannah or First Presbyterian’s Education or Music Funds.
Please sign our on-line guest book at www.foxandweeks.com
I am saddened by Elmo's passing, but glad to learn about the quality of life he enjoyed most of his life and how much his work contributed to helping others. Elmo and I worked together at the CDC facilities in Puerto Rico, Savannah, and Chamblee (Atlanta) during the 1970-1980s. My sincere condolences to Elmo's family.
- Ernesto Ruiz-Tiben, Atlanta, GA
I am just seeing Elmo's obituary and am very touched to learn so much about his life I did not know. I knew (and later supervised) Elmo at CDC for two years in 1985-87. We worked together on the lifecycles of parasites that afflict the poorest of the poor in Africa. He was patient and wise and a role model to me. I will always remember the times he and I went to Lake Lanier (near Atlanta) to sit on a bridge 'fishing' for small crustaceans we used to keep the Guinea worm life cycle going in our lab. We would drive up in his ancient car and had loads of fun talking while being in the great outdoors. A great hero who I will always remember! Even greater still in my mind to learn of how he dealt with the adversity of blindness in his later years. Frank Richards, MD
- Frank Richards, Atlanta, GA
Dear McCray family - When I was in high school in the 1960s, Elmo worked with me on a science project involving Aedes aegypti mosquitoes at Oatland Island. I've never forgotten the experience and what a patient teacher he was. He had a fascinating life. My condolences to you all. Kay Henry, Chevy Chase MD
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Dear Arie and family,we send our sincere sympathy.Your Father had an amazing career.You will be in our prayers.
- Tom and Judy Mahoney, Savannah, Georgia
This is a bittersweet time and my heart goes out to you all. Elmo was an amazing man in so very many ways. I always enjoyed visiting him and greatly admired his courage, patience and fortitude against great disabilities. He will be remembered by many! Rest in peace dear Elmo!
- Penny Farley, Savannah, GA
My sincere condolences to the McCray Family on the passing of your dear loved one. May Jehovah God the God of comfort grant you his peace while you await the fulfillment of his promise at John 5:28(to resurrect those who have been asleep in death. May fond memories of Elmo linger in your hearts and bring you peace in the days to come.
- Henry, Lawrenceville, GA
My sincere condolences to the McCray Family on the passing of your dear loved one. May Jehovah God the God of comfort grant you his peace while you await the fulfillment of his promise at John 5:28(to resurrect those who have been asleep in death. May fond memories of Elmo linger in your hearts and bring you peace in the days to come.
- Henry, Lawrenceville, GA
I am saddened by Elmo's passing, but glad to learn about the quality of life he enjoyed most of his life and how much his work contributed to helping others. Elmo and I worked together at the CDC facilities in Puerto Rico, Savannah, and Chamblee (Atlanta) during the 1970-1980s. My sincere condolences to Elmo's family.
- Ernesto Ruiz-Tiben, Atlanta, GA
I am just seeing Elmo's obituary and am very touched to learn so much about his life I did not know. I knew (and later supervised) Elmo at CDC for two years in 1985-87. We worked together on the lifecycles of parasites that afflict the poorest of the poor in Africa. He was patient and wise and a role model to me. I will always remember the times he and I went to Lake Lanier (near Atlanta) to sit on a bridge 'fishing' for small crustaceans we used to keep the Guinea worm life cycle going in our lab. We would drive up in his ancient car and had loads of fun talking while being in the great outdoors. A great hero who I will always remember! Even greater still in my mind to learn of how he dealt with the adversity of blindness in his later years. Frank Richards, MD
- Frank Richards, Atlanta, GA
Dear McCray family - When I was in high school in the 1960s, Elmo worked with me on a science project involving Aedes aegypti mosquitoes at Oatland Island. I've never forgotten the experience and what a patient teacher he was. He had a fascinating life. My condolences to you all. Kay Henry, Chevy Chase MD
- , ,
Dear Arie and family,we send our sincere sympathy.Your Father had an amazing career.You will be in our prayers.
- Tom and Judy Mahoney, Savannah, Georgia
This is a bittersweet time and my heart goes out to you all. Elmo was an amazing man in so very many ways. I always enjoyed visiting him and greatly admired his courage, patience and fortitude against great disabilities. He will be remembered by many! Rest in peace dear Elmo!
- Penny Farley, Savannah, GA
My sincere condolences to the McCray Family on the passing of your dear loved one. May Jehovah God the God of comfort grant you his peace while you await the fulfillment of his promise at John 5:28(to resurrect those who have been asleep in death. May fond memories of Elmo linger in your hearts and bring you peace in the days to come.
- Henry, Lawrenceville, GA
My sincere condolences to the McCray Family on the passing of your dear loved one. May Jehovah God the God of comfort grant you his peace while you await the fulfillment of his promise at John 5:28(to resurrect those who have been asleep in death. May fond memories of Elmo linger in your hearts and bring you peace in the days to come.
- Henry, Lawrenceville, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
