Celebrating the life of
John Joseph McCracken
August 15, 1929 - November 17, 2015
Savannah- John Joseph McCracken, 86, passed away Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at Roper Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina. John was born in Savannah in 1929, son of the late John and Estelle Powers McCracken. He graduated from Benedictine Military School in 1947 and attended Armstrong Junior College. He joined the Chatham Artillery at the age of 18 and later designed the Chatham Artillery Monument erected in 1986 at Emmet Park. He married Carolyn Jossey in 1964 in Mobile Alabama. He was a member of the Irish Heritage Society, the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee and the Knights of Columbus. He was employed by the US Army Corps of Engineers and was instrumental in building the runway at NASA which has been featured on the Discovery channel many times. He retired from the US Army Reserves as a Lt. Colonel.
John is survived by his wife Carolyn of 51 years; daughters, Mary Ann (Chris) Karle of Savannah Ga, Katie (David) Hensley of Lynchburg SC, Caroline (Pradeep) Raman of Boynton Beach FL; ten grandchildren and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his brother, Eugene McCracken and sister, Mary McCracken.
Johnny was a loving father, husband, grandfather and friend to all. A mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, November 20 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Burial will follow at Bonaventure Cemetery.
While I didn't know John, we certainly knew of him because his brother Gene and my dad were best friends for many years and Gene spoke fondly of his family. May God bless you and give you comfort during this difficult time.
- David and Theresa Head Turner (daughter of Jim Head), Lecanto, FL
Bob and Louise, adopted grandparents of Weems boys, are sharing in the grief which has befallen all of Johnny's loved ones. He was to all of you a good and constant source of support and devotion and leaves you with the strength which you now require. Our love to you, especially, Carolyn
- Bob and Louise Barnard, Madison, Ms
All my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. May each day bring a little more peace and comfort.
- Beth Whelan, Savannah, GA
Sending my prayers and heartfelt sympathy to you all. May God's Grace strengthen you.
- Kim (Walsh) Snowden (granddaughter of Deenie Walsh family), Jupiter, FL
While we only knew the stories of John through the telling of Jack's Mother, Deenie/Genevieve, and her tales of Stella and her children and Savannah,we did learn what a special person he was. Our prayers are with you at this difficult time. Joan and Jack Walsh
- Jack and Joan Walsh ( of Deenie Walsh family), West Harrison, NY
Carolyn, I'm so sorry for you and your family's loss. May the Lord surround your entire family with comfort and peace. Love and prayers for you.
- Kelly Hunter-Kincaid , Tupelo, MS
To the family, I offer condolences and love, in the wake of John McCracken's home-going. Johnny helped me, while I was working as the concrete engineer, on the construction of Russell Dam. John McCracken was a professional construction man, in every sense of the title. He knew construction materials, construction procedures, ways to make corrections, ways to recognize errors and problems, and ways to relate to construction people of all types. There is no telling how much trouble he kept me out of, because I listened to him and followed his advice. I loved working with Johnny McCracken. My sympathy to all his family. May God bless and comfort you.
- Tom List, Elberton, GA
Dear Caroline, May our prayers find you during this time of need. Our thoughts have been with you, Pradeep, Elizabeth, Julian and Maggie and your extended family. Our continued prayers and love, Frank, Nilsa and Laura
- Frank,Laura and Nilsa McKinney, Delray Beach , Florida
Carolyn and Family,we send our sincere sympathy on the passing of "Johnny Mac".From the days of being the Blessed Sacrament coach to over the days of marrying,rearing children and life's usual struggles,he has been a true friend.He will be missed.You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
- Tom and Judy Mahoney, Savannah, Georgia
Carolyn, Mary Ann, Katie, & Caroline, & families - We are so sorry for your loss. He was such a vey special person & a dear, dear friend, & we will miss him forever. You are all in our thoughts, our prayers, & our hearts. With much love, Jack, Bev, & Bobby
- Jack, Bev, & Bobby Wetherington, LaGrange, GA
I'm so sorry for your loss. May God cradle you all in his palms during this difficult time. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you all so much! Brenda, Kevin, Katheryn, Chris, Matt, MaryGrace, Nicholas, Michael, and Emilye Meyers
- Brenda and Kevin Meyers, Savannah , Ga
So sorry for your loss..... You are in my thoughts and prayers now and in the days to come!!
- Sharon Burner , Florence , Sc
So very sorry for your loss
- Merryn weaver, Timmonsville , Sc
While I didn't know John, we certainly knew of him because his brother Gene and my dad were best friends for many years and Gene spoke fondly of his family. May God bless you and give you comfort during this difficult time.
- David and Theresa Head Turner (daughter of Jim Head), Lecanto, FL
Bob and Louise, adopted grandparents of Weems boys, are sharing in the grief which has befallen all of Johnny's loved ones. He was to all of you a good and constant source of support and devotion and leaves you with the strength which you now require. Our love to you, especially, Carolyn
- Bob and Louise Barnard, Madison, Ms
All my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. May each day bring a little more peace and comfort.
- Beth Whelan, Savannah, GA
Sending my prayers and heartfelt sympathy to you all. May God's Grace strengthen you.
- Kim (Walsh) Snowden (granddaughter of Deenie Walsh family), Jupiter, FL
While we only knew the stories of John through the telling of Jack's Mother, Deenie/Genevieve, and her tales of Stella and her children and Savannah,we did learn what a special person he was. Our prayers are with you at this difficult time. Joan and Jack Walsh
- Jack and Joan Walsh ( of Deenie Walsh family), West Harrison, NY
Carolyn, I'm so sorry for you and your family's loss. May the Lord surround your entire family with comfort and peace. Love and prayers for you.
- Kelly Hunter-Kincaid , Tupelo, MS
To the family, I offer condolences and love, in the wake of John McCracken's home-going. Johnny helped me, while I was working as the concrete engineer, on the construction of Russell Dam. John McCracken was a professional construction man, in every sense of the title. He knew construction materials, construction procedures, ways to make corrections, ways to recognize errors and problems, and ways to relate to construction people of all types. There is no telling how much trouble he kept me out of, because I listened to him and followed his advice. I loved working with Johnny McCracken. My sympathy to all his family. May God bless and comfort you.
- Tom List, Elberton, GA
Dear Caroline, May our prayers find you during this time of need. Our thoughts have been with you, Pradeep, Elizabeth, Julian and Maggie and your extended family. Our continued prayers and love, Frank, Nilsa and Laura
- Frank,Laura and Nilsa McKinney, Delray Beach , Florida
Carolyn and Family,we send our sincere sympathy on the passing of "Johnny Mac".From the days of being the Blessed Sacrament coach to over the days of marrying,rearing children and life's usual struggles,he has been a true friend.He will be missed.You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
- Tom and Judy Mahoney, Savannah, Georgia
Carolyn, Mary Ann, Katie, & Caroline, & families - We are so sorry for your loss. He was such a vey special person & a dear, dear friend, & we will miss him forever. You are all in our thoughts, our prayers, & our hearts. With much love, Jack, Bev, & Bobby
- Jack, Bev, & Bobby Wetherington, LaGrange, GA
I'm so sorry for your loss. May God cradle you all in his palms during this difficult time. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you all so much! Brenda, Kevin, Katheryn, Chris, Matt, MaryGrace, Nicholas, Michael, and Emilye Meyers
- Brenda and Kevin Meyers, Savannah , Ga
So sorry for your loss..... You are in my thoughts and prayers now and in the days to come!!
- Sharon Burner , Florence , Sc
So very sorry for your loss
- Merryn weaver, Timmonsville , Sc
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200

