James Richard McCreary

James Richard “Rick” McCreary, 61, of Shelbyville and longtime Connersville resident, died Friday evening, July 8, 2016 at his residence. Rick was born December 10, 1954 in Harlan County, Kentucky, the son of James Charles and Doris Jean Howard McCreary. Rick was a 1973 graduate of Connersville High School and was the manager of the 1972 winning basketball team. Rick was enlisted in the United States Air Force and served as an explosive tech until his honorable discharge in 1977. Rick also attended Indiana University East and Ivy Tech Community College where he received two associate degrees. Rick was employed at Design Manufacturing as an electrician for twenty-two years. Most recently, Rick was employed at PK USA in Shelbyville and Indiana Automotive Fasteners in Greenfield as a maintenance tech. On September 24, 2006 Rick married the former, Deborah A. Johnson, in Shelbyville. Rick was a member of the Warren Lodge #15, F. & A.M. and the Connersville Jaycees. Rick is survived by his wife: Deborah A. McCreary; his sons: Michael McCreary and his wife, Shannon; Gabe McCreary, all of Connersville; his grandchildren: Elaina, Alexis, Jacob and Allison McCreary; his mother: Doris Jean McCreary of Connersville; his sister: Patricia Sue Ash and her husband, Gary of Cambridge City; his step-children: John Richardson of Indianapolis; Joe Brown and his wife, Shannon of Cincinnati, Ohio; Jody May of Naperville, Illinois; step-grandchildren: Mikayla and Kennedy Brown; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Rick is preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents; his father: James Charles McCreary; his uncles: Bill and Bob Howard, Chester, Chuck and Bill McCreary. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Myers Chapel with Tim Hensley officiating. Interment will follow in Laurel North Cemetery with Military Graveside Honors conducted by the Fayette County Veterans Council. Friends may visit at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the time of service where memorial contributions may be made to Our Hospice of Southern Central Indiana. For additional information and to send condolences or memories, go to www.ShowalterBlackwellLong.com