McCrary, Paul E.
Paul E. McCrary of Stillwater passed away on November 26, 2005 following a brief illness. He was born May 8, 1915 in Ketchum, Oklahoma to Mack and Bessie McCrary, the oldest of nine children. As a child, he moved with his family to Thomas, Oklahoma where he started school. At the age of 10, the rest of the family was sent ahead by train and Paul and his father drove two covered wagons with the family's possessions to the Cromwell oil fields. Once there, Paul lived with his family in a tent for more than a year until a house became available. Paul grew up during the busy 'Oil Boom' days when it was not uncommon to see oil wells gushing 'black gold' toward the heavens. When he was 17 Paul joined the National Guard in Wewoka and after graduating from high school he spent 18 months in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). In the fall of 1935, Paul entered Oklahoma A&M College (now Oklahoma State University) in Stillwater. He was very active during his college years, carrying a full load of classes while delivering newspapers twice a day and (with a friend) operating a gasoline service station. Paul majored in Agricultural Economics but his real interest was in ROTC and the military. During his senior year he was selected as the Cadet Colonel of the Infantry Regiment. Upon graduation from college in 1939, Paul was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army and ordered to active duty with the 2nd Division at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas. After a year, he was ordered back to Oklahoma A&M as an assistant Professor of Military Science & Tactics. While stationed at Oklahoma A&M, Paul met and married Ines Abbott, of Pawhuska. They spent their honeymoon in Mexico City. From this union two children were born: Allan Abbott McCrary and Patty Abbott McCrary. In 1942, Paul was ordered back to duty at Camp Wolters, Texas. In 1944, he was sent to Camp Jackson, South Carolina where he joined the 87th Division. Soon thereafter, the Division was sent overseas as part of the European Theater of Operations. Ines, who had been able to accompany him on his assignments up to this time, returned to Pawhuska. Paul was engaged in four major overseas campaigns including the Battle of the Bulge. On April 17, 1945 Paul and his advanced party were ambushed and Paul was severely wounded. He was evacuated back to the States where he was hospitalized, ending up in Walter Reed General Hospital in Washington, D.C. He was assigned to a post in the National Headquarters of Selective Service for limited service. His wounds eventually caused him to be retired from the Army. Paul received several awards and decorations from his military service, but the one he treasured most was the Combat Infantry Badge. When it became apparent that he was going to be retired from the Army, Paul enrolled in a photography course in Silver Springs, Maryland. After leaving the Army, he returned to Oklahoma A&M College and started and headed the University Photo Service until he retired in 1978. In addition to his duties as head of the University Photo Service, Paul was also Military Coordinator for the President's Office for 10 years. He filmed university football games for more than 30 years and recorded the first game used for a delayed telecast in Oklahoma, in cooperation with station WKY in Oklahoma City. For two seasons Paul worked for a Hollywood sports TV company on a football program called 'Game of the Week.' This involved filming Saturday college football games (from locations as far away as Chapel Hill, North Carolina) and sending them to Hollywood, where they were processed, edited, and narrated by Tom Harmon, a former All-American and well-known sports announcer. Paul and Ines loved to travel. Following Paul's retirement from the University he and Ines worked as travel agents, including more than 20 years for International Tours in Stillwater. They conducted group tours to various parts of the world and also traveled on their own. In all, they traveled to all 50 states and more than 110 countries. They were both members of the Century Travelers Club. In 1952, Paul joined the Stillwater Lions Club where he served on local, state, and international levels. In 1972, he was elected International Director and he and Ines traveled for two years as representatives of the International Association of Lions Clubs. He received many awards for his service to Lionism including the coveted 'Ambassador of Goodwill' which is the highest award given to a Lion. Paul was active in the First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater for many years. He was also active in community affairs and was selected for 'Who's Who in the Southwest.' Paul's wife, Ines, passed away in 2000 after 59 years of marriage. He is survived by son Allan, of Vacaville, California and daughter Patty, of San Francisco. A celebration of Paul's life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, November 30. Memorials may be made to the Oklahoma Lions Service Foundation, earmarked for the Oklahoma Lions Eye Bank, 4123 N. W. 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73107, or to the First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater, 6th and Duncan, Stillwater, OK 74074.
Published in the Daily Oklahoman [Oklahoma City, OK] on 11/30/2005.
Paul E. McCrary of Stillwater passed away on November 26, 2005 following a brief illness. He was born May 8, 1915 in Ketchum, Oklahoma to Mack and Bessie McCrary, the oldest of nine children. As a child, he moved with his family to Thomas, Oklahoma where he started school. At the age of 10, the rest of the family was sent ahead by train and Paul and his father drove two covered wagons with the family's possessions to the Cromwell oil fields. Once there, Paul lived with his family in a tent for more than a year until a house became available. Paul grew up during the busy 'Oil Boom' days when it was not uncommon to see oil wells gushing 'black gold' toward the heavens. When he was 17 Paul joined the National Guard in Wewoka and after graduating from high school he spent 18 months in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). In the fall of 1935, Paul entered Oklahoma A&M College (now Oklahoma State University) in Stillwater. He was very active during his college years, carrying a full load of classes while delivering newspapers twice a day and (with a friend) operating a gasoline service station. Paul majored in Agricultural Economics but his real interest was in ROTC and the military. During his senior year he was selected as the Cadet Colonel of the Infantry Regiment. Upon graduation from college in 1939, Paul was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army and ordered to active duty with the 2nd Division at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas. After a year, he was ordered back to Oklahoma A&M as an assistant Professor of Military Science & Tactics. While stationed at Oklahoma A&M, Paul met and married Ines Abbott, of Pawhuska. They spent their honeymoon in Mexico City. From this union two children were born: Allan Abbott McCrary and Patty Abbott McCrary. In 1942, Paul was ordered back to duty at Camp Wolters, Texas. In 1944, he was sent to Camp Jackson, South Carolina where he joined the 87th Division. Soon thereafter, the Division was sent overseas as part of the European Theater of Operations. Ines, who had been able to accompany him on his assignments up to this time, returned to Pawhuska. Paul was engaged in four major overseas campaigns including the Battle of the Bulge. On April 17, 1945 Paul and his advanced party were ambushed and Paul was severely wounded. He was evacuated back to the States where he was hospitalized, ending up in Walter Reed General Hospital in Washington, D.C. He was assigned to a post in the National Headquarters of Selective Service for limited service. His wounds eventually caused him to be retired from the Army. Paul received several awards and decorations from his military service, but the one he treasured most was the Combat Infantry Badge. When it became apparent that he was going to be retired from the Army, Paul enrolled in a photography course in Silver Springs, Maryland. After leaving the Army, he returned to Oklahoma A&M College and started and headed the University Photo Service until he retired in 1978. In addition to his duties as head of the University Photo Service, Paul was also Military Coordinator for the President's Office for 10 years. He filmed university football games for more than 30 years and recorded the first game used for a delayed telecast in Oklahoma, in cooperation with station WKY in Oklahoma City. For two seasons Paul worked for a Hollywood sports TV company on a football program called 'Game of the Week.' This involved filming Saturday college football games (from locations as far away as Chapel Hill, North Carolina) and sending them to Hollywood, where they were processed, edited, and narrated by Tom Harmon, a former All-American and well-known sports announcer. Paul and Ines loved to travel. Following Paul's retirement from the University he and Ines worked as travel agents, including more than 20 years for International Tours in Stillwater. They conducted group tours to various parts of the world and also traveled on their own. In all, they traveled to all 50 states and more than 110 countries. They were both members of the Century Travelers Club. In 1952, Paul joined the Stillwater Lions Club where he served on local, state, and international levels. In 1972, he was elected International Director and he and Ines traveled for two years as representatives of the International Association of Lions Clubs. He received many awards for his service to Lionism including the coveted 'Ambassador of Goodwill' which is the highest award given to a Lion. Paul was active in the First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater for many years. He was also active in community affairs and was selected for 'Who's Who in the Southwest.' Paul's wife, Ines, passed away in 2000 after 59 years of marriage. He is survived by son Allan, of Vacaville, California and daughter Patty, of San Francisco. A celebration of Paul's life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, November 30. Memorials may be made to the Oklahoma Lions Service Foundation, earmarked for the Oklahoma Lions Eye Bank, 4123 N. W. 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73107, or to the First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater, 6th and Duncan, Stillwater, OK 74074.
Published in the Daily Oklahoman [Oklahoma City, OK] on 11/30/2005.
McCrary, Paul E.
Paul E. McCrary of Stillwater passed away on November 26, 2005 following a brief illness. He was born May 8, 1915 in Ketchum, Oklahoma to Mack and Bessie McCrary, the oldest of nine children. As a child, he moved with his family to Thomas, Oklahoma where he started school. At the age of 10, the rest of the family was sent ahead by train and Paul and his father drove two covered wagons with the family's possessions to the Cromwell oil fields. Once there, Paul lived with his family in a tent for more than a year until a house became available. Paul grew up during the busy 'Oil Boom' days when it was not uncommon to see oil wells gushing 'black gold' toward the heavens. When he was 17 Paul joined the National Guard in Wewoka and after graduating from high school he spent 18 months in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). In the fall of 1935, Paul entered Oklahoma A&M College (now Oklahoma State University) in Stillwater. He was very active during his college years, carrying a full load of classes while delivering newspapers twice a day and (with a friend) operating a gasoline service station. Paul majored in Agricultural Economics but his real interest was in ROTC and the military. During his senior year he was selected as the Cadet Colonel of the Infantry Regiment. Upon graduation from college in 1939, Paul was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army and ordered to active duty with the 2nd Division at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas. After a year, he was ordered back to Oklahoma A&M as an assistant Professor of Military Science & Tactics. While stationed at Oklahoma A&M, Paul met and married Ines Abbott, of Pawhuska. They spent their honeymoon in Mexico City. From this union two children were born: Allan Abbott McCrary and Patty Abbott McCrary. In 1942, Paul was ordered back to duty at Camp Wolters, Texas. In 1944, he was sent to Camp Jackson, South Carolina where he joined the 87th Division. Soon thereafter, the Division was sent overseas as part of the European Theater of Operations. Ines, who had been able to accompany him on his assignments up to this time, returned to Pawhuska. Paul was engaged in four major overseas campaigns including the Battle of the Bulge. On April 17, 1945 Paul and his advanced party were ambushed and Paul was severely wounded. He was evacuated back to the States where he was hospitalized, ending up in Walter Reed General Hospital in Washington, D.C. He was assigned to a post in the National Headquarters of Selective Service for limited service. His wounds eventually caused him to be retired from the Army. Paul received several awards and decorations from his military service, but the one he treasured most was the Combat Infantry Badge. When it became apparent that he was going to be retired from the Army, Paul enrolled in a photography course in Silver Springs, Maryland. After leaving the Army, he returned to Oklahoma A&M College and started and headed the University Photo Service until he retired in 1978. In addition to his duties as head of the University Photo Service, Paul was also Military Coordinator for the President's Office for 10 years. He filmed university football games for more than 30 years and recorded the first game used for a delayed telecast in Oklahoma, in cooperation with station WKY in Oklahoma City. For two seasons Paul worked for a Hollywood sports TV company on a football program called 'Game of the Week.' This involved filming Saturday college football games (from locations as far away as Chapel Hill, North Carolina) and sending them to Hollywood, where they were processed, edited, and narrated by Tom Harmon, a former All-American and well-known sports announcer. Paul and Ines loved to travel. Following Paul's retirement from the University he and Ines worked as travel agents, including more than 20 years for International Tours in Stillwater. They conducted group tours to various parts of the world and also traveled on their own. In all, they traveled to all 50 states and more than 110 countries. They were both members of the Century Travelers Club. In 1952, Paul joined the Stillwater Lions Club where he served on local, state, and international levels. In 1972, he was elected International Director and he and Ines traveled for two years as representatives of the International Association of Lions Clubs. He received many awards for his service to Lionism including the coveted 'Ambassador of Goodwill' which is the highest award given to a Lion. Paul was active in the First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater for many years. He was also active in community affairs and was selected for 'Who's Who in the Southwest.' Paul's wife, Ines, passed away in 2000 after 59 years of marriage. He is survived by son Allan, of Vacaville, California and daughter Patty, of San Francisco. A celebration of Paul's life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, November 30. Memorials may be made to the Oklahoma Lions Service Foundation, earmarked for the Oklahoma Lions Eye Bank, 4123 N. W. 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73107, or to the First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater, 6th and Duncan, Stillwater, OK 74074.
Published in the Daily Oklahoman [Oklahoma City, OK] on 11/30/2005.
Paul E. McCrary of Stillwater passed away on November 26, 2005 following a brief illness. He was born May 8, 1915 in Ketchum, Oklahoma to Mack and Bessie McCrary, the oldest of nine children. As a child, he moved with his family to Thomas, Oklahoma where he started school. At the age of 10, the rest of the family was sent ahead by train and Paul and his father drove two covered wagons with the family's possessions to the Cromwell oil fields. Once there, Paul lived with his family in a tent for more than a year until a house became available. Paul grew up during the busy 'Oil Boom' days when it was not uncommon to see oil wells gushing 'black gold' toward the heavens. When he was 17 Paul joined the National Guard in Wewoka and after graduating from high school he spent 18 months in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). In the fall of 1935, Paul entered Oklahoma A&M College (now Oklahoma State University) in Stillwater. He was very active during his college years, carrying a full load of classes while delivering newspapers twice a day and (with a friend) operating a gasoline service station. Paul majored in Agricultural Economics but his real interest was in ROTC and the military. During his senior year he was selected as the Cadet Colonel of the Infantry Regiment. Upon graduation from college in 1939, Paul was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army and ordered to active duty with the 2nd Division at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas. After a year, he was ordered back to Oklahoma A&M as an assistant Professor of Military Science & Tactics. While stationed at Oklahoma A&M, Paul met and married Ines Abbott, of Pawhuska. They spent their honeymoon in Mexico City. From this union two children were born: Allan Abbott McCrary and Patty Abbott McCrary. In 1942, Paul was ordered back to duty at Camp Wolters, Texas. In 1944, he was sent to Camp Jackson, South Carolina where he joined the 87th Division. Soon thereafter, the Division was sent overseas as part of the European Theater of Operations. Ines, who had been able to accompany him on his assignments up to this time, returned to Pawhuska. Paul was engaged in four major overseas campaigns including the Battle of the Bulge. On April 17, 1945 Paul and his advanced party were ambushed and Paul was severely wounded. He was evacuated back to the States where he was hospitalized, ending up in Walter Reed General Hospital in Washington, D.C. He was assigned to a post in the National Headquarters of Selective Service for limited service. His wounds eventually caused him to be retired from the Army. Paul received several awards and decorations from his military service, but the one he treasured most was the Combat Infantry Badge. When it became apparent that he was going to be retired from the Army, Paul enrolled in a photography course in Silver Springs, Maryland. After leaving the Army, he returned to Oklahoma A&M College and started and headed the University Photo Service until he retired in 1978. In addition to his duties as head of the University Photo Service, Paul was also Military Coordinator for the President's Office for 10 years. He filmed university football games for more than 30 years and recorded the first game used for a delayed telecast in Oklahoma, in cooperation with station WKY in Oklahoma City. For two seasons Paul worked for a Hollywood sports TV company on a football program called 'Game of the Week.' This involved filming Saturday college football games (from locations as far away as Chapel Hill, North Carolina) and sending them to Hollywood, where they were processed, edited, and narrated by Tom Harmon, a former All-American and well-known sports announcer. Paul and Ines loved to travel. Following Paul's retirement from the University he and Ines worked as travel agents, including more than 20 years for International Tours in Stillwater. They conducted group tours to various parts of the world and also traveled on their own. In all, they traveled to all 50 states and more than 110 countries. They were both members of the Century Travelers Club. In 1952, Paul joined the Stillwater Lions Club where he served on local, state, and international levels. In 1972, he was elected International Director and he and Ines traveled for two years as representatives of the International Association of Lions Clubs. He received many awards for his service to Lionism including the coveted 'Ambassador of Goodwill' which is the highest award given to a Lion. Paul was active in the First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater for many years. He was also active in community affairs and was selected for 'Who's Who in the Southwest.' Paul's wife, Ines, passed away in 2000 after 59 years of marriage. He is survived by son Allan, of Vacaville, California and daughter Patty, of San Francisco. A celebration of Paul's life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, November 30. Memorials may be made to the Oklahoma Lions Service Foundation, earmarked for the Oklahoma Lions Eye Bank, 4123 N. W. 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73107, or to the First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater, 6th and Duncan, Stillwater, OK 74074.
Published in the Daily Oklahoman [Oklahoma City, OK] on 11/30/2005.
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