Richard & Carol Ann McCracken

Richard Louis McCracken Obituary

Richard “Dick” Louis McCracken, 95, of Edmond, Oklahoma, went to be with the Lord on April 18, 2026. He was a devoted family man and loving husband to the love of his life, Carol for 74 wonderful years. Dick was born on September 6, 1930, in Ligonier, Pennsylvania. He was the baby of the family with 3 older brothers. In 1947, while still in high school, he joined the 28th Division Pennsylvania National Guard. In 1950, the Korean War began and he was called to active duty at Camp Atterbury, Indiana.

Dick was introduced to his bride on his 21st birthday, September 6, 1951, by his best friend and his wife. They hit it off and Carol asked Dick to attend church with her that following Sunday. It was at that moment he knew she was the one for him. They dated for 2 months and were married November 10, 1951. Soon after getting married, Dick began his career in Pennsylvania at Bell Telephone Company. Because his wife was homesick for her family in Indiana, Dick requested and received a transfer to Indiana Bell after only living in Pennsylvania for a few months. In 1952, they welcomed their first child, a daughter, Ronna, their son Richard came along in 1955, and Robert in 1957.

In 1964, due to their children’s health, they decided to pack up what would fit into their Chrysler Imperial and a small trailer, and moved to California. Initially landing in Riverside, they eventually settled in Santa Ana, where their 3 children graduated high school. In 1976, after requesting a transfer, Dick and Carol moved to Atascadero, California for the natural beauty and slower pace of life. They bought land and built their dream property creating a sanctuary for family and friends to gather. They loved hosting birthdays and holidays at their home. Being surrounded by family and friends fulfilled them. As their family grew, so did the life they built around them with the Lord of course always coming first. Dick retired from Bell Telephone in 1984; however, he had multiple “retirement jobs” including buying a semi and working for Allied Van Lines. They moved from California in 2018 at the ages of 88 and 87 when their son Bob and his wife Linda decided to make the move to be closer to their family in Oklahoma.

Dick and Carol were members of Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City.

Dick is survived by his sons Robert (Linda) McCracken, Richard (Aurelia) McCracken and son-in-law Joe Walters, grandchildren Brian, Anna (Tom), Robert (Jacqueline), Rodney (Natalie), Jared (Bethany), great-grandchildren Audra, Jacob, Joshua, Maura, Jadon, Gage, Joseph, Chad, Jeremiah, Colin, Julia, Josie, Jemma, James, and great-great-granddaughter Maisie. He is preceded in death by his parents William and Margaret McCracken, brothers William (Esther), John (Elsie) and James (Hazel), daughter Ronna, and great-grandchildren Alyssa, Braxton and Bella.

There are no words to express how grateful Dick’s family is to the caring and compassionate staff at Homestead Assisted Living in Bethany, OK, as well as the dedicated and kindhearted nurses at Legacy Family Hospice. Both Dick and Carol were such special people. They touched the hearts of anyone they interacted with even during their last days. The last few weeks of their lives were filled by peace, comfort, and genuine love by all of these wonderful caregivers.

Carol Ann McCracken Obituary

Carol Ann McCracken was born, August 29, 1931, in Brown County, Indiana, in a little town called Trevlac, to George “Ray” and Anna Fleener. They lived on a little farm, she had 4 sisters and her parents were both school teachers. Her father brought her into this world and her heavenly Father called her home on April 21, 2026 in Edmond, Oklahoma.

During her early years she attended a one room school which her father taught her for two of those years. She graduated from Helmsburg High School in 1949 after which she worked for Farm Bureau Insurance in Indianapolis. The Korean war started and Indiana opened up Camp Atterbury near Nineveh, Indiana. Leaving her job in Indianapolis, she started working at Camp Atterbury. Being introduced by mutual friends, she met the love of her life, Dick. They met on his birthday, September 6, 1951. He was getting discharged from the Army on November 7, 1951, and returning to Pennsylvania. Dick asked Carol to marry him, and they were married November 10, 1951. They lived in Pennsylvania for 2 months. Carol grew homesick for her family. Dick worked for Bell Telephone and got a transfer back to Indiana. The following years brought a daughter and 2 sons into their lives. In 1964, due to sickness with children they moved to California. Dick was able to transfer to Riverside, then they moved to Santa Ana.

In 1976, they moved to Atascadero, California. Both Dick and Carol worked for Bell Telephone. She retired in 1988. In 2018, their son Bob and his family moved to Edmond, Oklahoma. They followed to be near their son and the family already in Oklahoma.

During her children’s earlier years, she helped with Good News Club, Bible Schools, Cub Scouts and 4H. Her family was always dear to her; she was always cooking and entertaining them. Besides her family, she had who she called her adopted granddaughter, Angela. Her love for children was a big part of her life. Dick and Carol are members of Quail Springs Baptist Church. Always following Christ, He came first in their lives.

Carol is survived by her sister, Virginia Moore of Tennessee, sons Robert (Linda) McCracken of Oklahoma, Richard (Aurelia) McCracken of Indiana, and son-in-law Joe Walters of California, grandchildren Brian, Anna (Tom), Robert (Jacqueline), Rodney (Natalie), Jared (Bethany) and Angela, great-grandchildren Audra, Jacob, Joshua, Maura, Jadon, Gage, Joseph, Chad, Jeremiah, Colin, Julia, Josie, Jemma, James and great-great-granddaughter Maisie. Carol also wanted to mention all of her nieces and nephews including their families, cousins and many friends. She was preceded in death by the love of her life Dick, parents George and Anna, sisters Alice (Dale), Margie (Guy), Wilma (Windsor), a brother who died at birth, beloved daughter Ronna, and great-grandchildren Alyssa, Braxton and Bella.

Carol and the love of her life passed within 3 days of each other, a true testament of their love and commitment to one another. She was well taken care of in her last weeks by everyone at Homestead Assisted Living in Bethany, OK and her final week of life by Legacy Family Hospice. The family is so thankful they were at a place that truly cared about the quality of life in their last days/weeks on this side of Heaven.

Dick and Carol’s family and friends will gather for a viewing April 27th between 5-7pm at Smith & Kernke Funeral Home in Oklahoma City, OK. A joint service to celebrate their life and love will be held April 28th at 10am at the Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, OK, with burial to follow at Whisler Cemetery in Northwest Edmond.