|
| |
George Downing McCreary, a devoted educator, rancher, and community leader, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2024, at the age of 88, leaning on the strength of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Born on March 9, 1936, in Caddo, Oklahoma, to Russell Andrew and Elizabeth Gail (Downing) McCreary, George led a vibrant life filled with family, and service.
George graduated from Dundee High School in Oklahoma on May 21, 1954, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Education from Southeastern State College in Durant, Oklahoma, on May 29, 1958. He later completed his Master’s of Teaching from the same institution on July 30, 1964. George married the love of his life, Nann Yvonne Scott, on August 18, 1957, at the First Baptist Church in Heavener, Oklahoma. Together, they built a life full of love and family until Nann’s passing on May 18, 2014.
After serving honorably in the Army National Guard of Oklahoma, George dedicated his professional life to education and technology. He served on the Northeast Technology Center Board of Education and was a proud recipient of numerous awards, including Oklahoma Technology Education Instructor of the Year, Program of the Year, Region Four Teacher of the Year, and Program of the Year. His leadership roles extended to serving as the State of Oklahoma Vice President and then the President of Technology Education, and participating in Career Technology committees at both regional and national levels.
Outside the classroom, George was involved in his community for his children. He was active in Little League sports, a recipient of the Gulick Award through his work with Camp Fire, and a founding member of the Vinita Westling Club. George’s passion for wrestling was pivotal in the success of the Vinita Wrestling Program and led to two state championships.
Early in his life, George trained field trial dogs, most notably initially training, and selling an eventual 1960 National Field Champion “Smoke.” He was at one time an avid fisherman and golfer, and loved competing in golfing tournaments.
George taught Wood Shop and Industrial Arts at Vinita High School, where many of his students learned to build furniture that they still use today. George was a successful rancher at his beloved Paw Paw Creek Ranch, where he focused on the club calf industry and was an early participant in the AI process for Club Calves. He also served proudly on the Board of Oklahoma State Bank.
George also loved politics and was active in the political campaigns for Wes Watkins and Dan Boren. He also was a proud citizen of the Chickasaw Nation.
George was preceded in death by his parents Russell and Gail, wife Nann, and his sister Elizabeth Ann Blevins. He is survived by his brothers, Russell McCreary and wife Sue, and Harold McCreary and wife Jodie. George leaves behind his cherished children, daughter Keven Cole and husband Kemp, and son Scott McCreary and wife Amanda. He was a proud grandfather to Andrew Cole and wife Cassidy, Trey Cole and wife Mikki, Emily Brown and husband Justin, Mitchell McCreary and wife Lee, and granddaughters Kendall, Kennedy, and Mallie McCreary. George was also blessed with great-grandchildren Brooklynn, Kempner, and Mckenzie Cole, and Tucker, Madeline, and Benjamin Brown.
George left a lasting impression on many people, and will be remembered for his love for Nann, hard work, and devotion to his family.
The family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m. on Monday, October 28, 2024, at the Burckhalter-Highsmith Funeral Home in Vinita. Online condolences may be made at www.highsmithfh.com or on the funeral homes Facebook page. Arrangements are in the care of the Burckhalter-Highsmith Funeral and Cremation Services of Vinita. “Vinita’s only locally owned and operated funeral home.”
This site may be freely linked, but not duplicated in any way without consent.
All rights reserved! Commercial use of material within this site is prohibited!
© 2000-2024 Oklahoma CemeteriesThe information on this site is provided free for the purpose of researching your genealogy. This material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, for your own research, as long as this message remains on all copied material. The information contained in this site may not be copied to any other site without written "snail-mail" permission. If you wish to have a copy of a donor's material, you must have their permission. All information found on these pages is under copyright of Oklahoma Cemeteries. This is to protect any and all information donated. The original submitter or source of the information will retain their copyright. Unless otherwise stated, any donated material is given to Oklahoma Cemeteries to make it available online. This material will always be available at no cost, it will always remain free to the researcher.