Gene U McCrary

Gene U. “Sonny”  McCrary was born October 13, 1939 in Columbus, Mississippi.  He was the son of Payton McCrary Sr. and Syretha (Johnson) McCrary.

At an early age he confessed his faith in Christ and was baptized.  In search of a better life, he moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1969.

On October 20, 1972, he was united in holy matrimony to Frances Stephens and to this union they were blessed with three children, Sonya, Tiffany and Brian.

He later joined Turner Chapel A M E Church under the leadership of Pastor Samuel Sumner and continued until his health would no longer allow him.

Gene retired from the Allen County Highway Department after 25 years of service.  In his spare time, he enjoyed watching boxing, working on cars, watching old westerns and walking in the mall with Frances and Tiffany through rain, sleet or snow.

He was best known for his unique hat collection, his style of dressing and his “Mack Daddy” walk.

On May 12, 2018, he answered the call and departed this life at the age of 78, at Life Care Center of Fort Wayne.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Davis McCrary and two sisters, Lillie Durant and Vivian McCrary.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Frances McCrary and their children Sonya D. Naazir, Tiffany R. McCrary both of Fort Wayne, IN and Brian A. (Kawanya) Muhammad of Indianapolis, IN; his children, Teresa D. McCrary of Lynnwood, CA, Evangeline McCrary of Snellville, GA and Gene McCrary Jr. of Lynnwood, CA; sisters, Ella Taylor of Fort Wayne, IN, Jessie Ruth (Randy) Mosley of Denver, Colorado, Dorothy Schenck of Shelby, SC and Bennie (Jimmy) Bonner and Elizabeth Peary-Miller both of Columbus, MS; brothers, Payton McCrary,  Elton McCrary, Alonzo McCrary, Thomas (Hannah) and Terry (Teresa) Dumas all of Columbus, MS, nine grandchildren; two great grandchildren and a host of in-laws, other family and friends.

He will be laid to rest in Highland Park Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, the has requested that memorial be sent to:

Heartland Hospice

Easterseals Arc of Northern Indiana - Fort Wayne

Turner Chapel AME Church

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