Donald Gene McCrory

D. Gene McCrory, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, employer and friend, passed away on October 6, 2016 in his home in Hideaway, Texas. Memorial services for Mr. McCrory, age 87, are scheduled for 2:00 PM Sunday, October 23, 2016 at the Hideaway Lake Community Church, 1115 Lake Cross Road, Hideaway, Texas. Gene was born on August 3, 1929 in Lyman, Oklahoma to the late Lawrence William and Jeanette Harriet (Matthews) McCrory. He graduated from Marshfield High School in 1946 at the age of 16 and enlisted in the United States Navy in June 1946 where he served honorably until his discharge in 1948. Mr. McCrory entered the University of Missouri in 1948 and received a bachelor’s degree in 1952. While attending college, he was commissioned in the United States Air Force Reserves as a 2nd Lieutenant where he served from 1949 to 1974 when he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. In December 1952 he married Marylyn Webb, the mother of his beloved sons, Burke William McCrory and Bryan Douglas McCrory. Mr. McCrory was employed by the National Surety Corporation in June 1952 in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended management training courses in New York City and worked in St. Louis until August of 1956. Mr. McCrory then transferred to Oklahoma City, joined North American Insurance Agency (now INSURICA) as President and worked diligently to build a prominent insurance agency. During his esteemed career he served as President of the Oklahoma City Insurance Agents Association, President of the Oklahoma Insurance Agents Association, President of the Independent Insurance Agents of Oklahoma, Chairman of the National Contracts Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents Association, a Member of the Advisory Committees for numerous insurance companies. Program Chairman of Uptown Kiwanis, Charter Member, Treasurer, and Senior Warden of the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, and was a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter, a Master Mason, a York Rite Mason, a Member of the Shrine, and a Jester. After retirement in 1994, Mr. McCrory continued as a member of the Board of Directors of INSURICA until his death. He is preceded in death by daughter, Kelly Beth Hancock, siblings, William Maurice McCrory, Francis “Frank” Marvin McCrory, and Sue Aileen Manning. He is survived by wife, Judy Beth McCrory of Hideaway, TX; brother, Edward Lawrence McCrory of Battlecreek, MI; children, Burke McCrory of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Bryan McCrory and wife Gayle of Dallas, TX; and Tom Blalock and wife Vi of Edmond, OK; grandchildren, Thomas Andrew McCrory and wife Meg of Dallas, TX; Taylor Resler McCrory and wife Bethany of Grapevine, TX; Karli Nicole Blalock of Chicago, IL; Bailey Elizabeth Hancock of Bixby, OK; Kathryn Elizabeth Blalock of Edmond, OK; Braxton Cole Hancock of Bixby, OK; Chase Andrew Blalock of Edmond, OK; and William Thomas Blalock of Edmond, OK; great granddaughter, Evelyn Gayle McCrory of Grapevine, TX; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Memorials may be made to the Children’s Advocacy Center at 2210 Frankston Hwy, Tyler, Texas 75701. Services are under the direction of Caudle-Rutledge-Daugherty Funeral Home in Lindale.

Donald Gene McCrory

August 3, 1929 - October 6, 2016