Wheatland, Missouri, resident David McCrary, age 77, passed away at the Four Seasons Living Center in Sedalia, Missouri, on September 2, 2023.

David Lee McCrary was born September 15, 1945, in Fayette, Missouri, a son to the late Newton “Bud” and Helen Louise (Scotten) McCrary. He graduated from Glasgow High School with the class of 1963. Dave furthered his education and earned a Master’s in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri at Rolla. Upon graduating, Dave started a successful 32-year-long career with Bendix, Allied Signal, and Honeywell FM&T, including an additional 13 years with FES/Burns & McDonnell. Over the years, Dave served as construction manager, facility engineer, utility engineer, and facilities manager at the Kansas City Plant. He worked on several special projects, including a U.S. defense contract that earned a Defense Program Achievement Award. David’s 45 years of faithful and passionate service towards his work consisted of numerous positive contributions to his company. He’s remembered in the workplace for his direct style, positive attitude, strong voice, and smiling face and was fondly known as “Crazy Dave.” 

Dave was loved and loved two women in his life. He married Margie Kramm out of high school, and they had two children together, Pam McCrary of Grandview, Missouri, and Stacy McCrary of Sedalia, Missouri; two grandchildren, Cole Barnes of Grandview, Missouri, and Jacob Barnes of Greenwood, Missouri; and a great-grandson, Walker Chad Barnes. In 1985, Dave married Linda Gragg. They enjoyed many years together with her daughters, Teri Gragg (deceased) and Jamie Vaters of Kansas City, Missouri, along with their grandchildren, Lexie Vaters of Kansas City, Missouri, and Lindsey Nicholas of Blue Springs, Missouri, and their great-grandchildren. Additional survivors include three brothers-in-law, Bobby “Waldo” Kramm, Larry Kramm, and Kenny Bentley. Along with his parents, Dave was preceded in death by his first wife, Margie Kramm, a brother, Charles McCrary, and two sisters-in-law, Evenly Bentley and Susan Kramm.

Dave stayed active outside of work, volunteering for many years as a firefighter/EMT for the Northwest Cass Fire District in Raymore, Missouri, a member of his local Masonic Lodge in Belton, Missouri, and an auxiliary member of the VFW in Galmey, Missouri. He loved boating on the lake, fishing, golfing, hunting, and had a passion for animals. Dave also enjoyed “donating to MO schools” via the VFW and the MO Lottery. 

Services honoring the life of Mr. McCrary will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at Friemonth- Freese Funeral Home in Fayette, Missouri. The funeral will start with a Masonic service, followed by a religious service, officiated by Rev. Sandra Enyard.  Visitation will be an hour before the service starting at 12:30 p.m. Interment will be held at Fayette City Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Galmey, MO VFW Post 9638, 21547 Hwy. 254, Wheatland, MO 65779. Final arrangements are entrusted to Friemonth-Freese Funeral Service of Fayette, MO.