John Furniss McCrary

John Furniss McCrary (99) was born in Selma, AL on April 5, 1924, and raised in the Antioch community, near Centreville, AL. When work on the farm permitted, he enjoyed baseball (a talented left-handed pitcher) and played football at Bibb County High School (quarterback in the Notre Dame Box). Briefly attending the University of Alabama, he joined the Army Air Corps and was trained as a bomber pilot. Stationed in Swaffham, England, John flew a B-24 with the Eighth Air Force, piloting his first mission on his 21st birthday. When the war ended, he returned to the University and completed his education, receiving a B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering. John then accepted a job with TCI (Tennessee Coal & Iron Company, later United States Steel) in Fairfield, AL. Apart from a return call to active duty during the Korean War, John remained with U.S. Steel his entire career. He retired as a major in the U.S. Air Force reserve.

John met his wife to be, Martha Ellan Hardy, after he returned to the University of Alabama. They were married on August 20, 1949, at the First United Methodist Church in Fairfield, and enjoyed 51 years together until she passed away in April, 2001. They had two children, Rebecca (Becky) and Dan. Never forgetting his rural roots or lessons learned during the Great Depression, John was a practical problem solver who rarely complained, choosing instead to find ways to adapt and overcome. He found it difficult to hire anyone to do something he thought he could do himself, and those who knew him will attest he could do a lot.

John was an active member of the Fairfield First United Methodist Church from 1949 until 1975, when he and his family moved to the Helena area. At that time, they joined Bluff Park United Methodist Church, where he and Martha were members of the Opportunity Class. Always engaged in church life, John served for years on the Administrative Council at Bluff Park, along with a number of other committees and groups. He always looked forward to swapping stories with the BBQ “Pit Crew” during their annual all-night cooking event that was a major fundraiser for the church. John was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, Toastmasters International and the Alabama Forestry Owners Association (AFOA), and the proud owner of a Treasure Forest.

John Furniss McCrary is preceded in death by his wife, Martha Ellan Hardy McCrary; mother, Essie Smitherman McCrary; father, John Franklin McCrary; and step-mother, Zula McNeill McCrary. He is survived by his daughter Rebecca (Becky) McCrary Walker and son, Dan Hardy McCrary (Mary Beth), both of Birmingham; six grandchildren: John Robert Walker (Catherine) of Gadsden, AL.; Mary Lauren McCrary Neel (Michael) of Atlanta, GA.; Libby McCrary Godwin (Ben) of Orlando, FL; Ellie Walker Sherman (Nate) of Atlanta, GA; Caroline McCrary Renfroe (Alan) of Birmingham; and John Harrison McCrary of Birmingham. He is also survived by 16 great-grandchildren.

There will be a family graveside service with military honors at Elmwood Cemetery at 10:30 AM on Friday, September 1, 2023. Pallbearers will be John H. McCrary, Alan Renfroe, John Robert Walker, Nate Sherman, Andy Holder and J.B. Thrasher. Following the family graveside, there will be a Celebration of Life at 12:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall of the Bluff Park United Methodist Church. Minister Rev. Dr. Kay Mutert will be officiating. The Celebration of Life will begin with a lunch for those attending.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to Bluff Park United Methodist Church (733 Valley Street, Hoover, AL 35226), Urban Ministry (1229 Cotton Avenue SW, Birmingham, AL 35211) or a charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsridoutselmwoodchapel.com for the McCrary family.