John Lyle McCranie

John attended Saint Paul's Catholic School, The Bolles School, and graduated from Bishop Kenny High School in 1954. It was the two years at Bolles where he obtained a respect and love for the uniform. He graduated from Georgia Tech in 1958 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and returned to Jacksonville to work for the Gibbs Shipbuilding Company. That same year John met and married Annie (Anne) Finger.

After several years with the Gibbs Corporation, John decided to join the military and applied for Officer’s Training at Lackland Air Force Base where he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. He was assigned to communications school at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi. John has a military career spanning over 20 years and included assignments that required 24 moves all over the globe.

During these years, he received numerous awards including the Air Force Commendation Medal, The Meritorious Service Medal, and the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Vietnam. His military career included an assignment at Readiness Command, MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa where he was chosen to be the Four-Star Army Commanders Aide. John was then recommended to attend the US Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. After graduation, the family moved to Vicenza, Italy. John also received his Masters Degree in Public Administration from Auburn University while still on Active Duty.

Upon retirement from the Air Force, John was hired by E Systems and Raytheon, defense contractors, in St. Petersburg, FL. where he worked for 10 years. Upon retirement from Raytheon in 1998, John and Annie returned to Jacksonville.

John believed in giving back. His life was a testimony to his belief that you should always look for opportunities to serve others - in your community, in your neighborhood, in your home.

While living in St. Petersburg, FL, John was a founding member of the Snell Island Homeowners Association. While living in Riverview, FL, John founded an organization, Citizens Against River Pollution (C.A.R.P), to organize resources to enhance the beauty of the Alafia River Area. Upon returning home to Jacksonville, John was involved with the founding of Fairfax Manor Homeowners Association and received the Mayor's Award for service to the community.

For the past 20 years, John and Annie have been blessed to be involved with The St. Vincent De Paul Society at St. Matthews Catholic Church, a ministry dedicated to helping those less fortunate in our community. This opportunity has created many lasting memories and lifelong friends for John and Annie.

John’s three loves were his family, his community and his country. He leaves a legacy of service and dedication to others and devotion to the task at hand.

He is survived by Annie, his wife of 63 years, 4 sons and a daughter. John Jr. (Jana), Christopher, Michael (Renee), Daniel, and Missy, as well as nine grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

A Family burial service will be held at Jacksonville National Cemetery.

A memorial mass will be held at St. Matthews Catholic Church on Friday, April 8th at 11:00 a.m.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, any memorial be made to St. Vincent De Paul, St. Matthews Church, 1773 Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32210.

Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens Riverside Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd Jacksonville, Florida 32205. Please leave words of comfort at www.hgriversidefuneralhome.com.