Sep 10, 2013

U.S. Air Force veteran

John Murray McCracken, 78, of Panama City Beach, Fla., died August 19, 2013, in Gulf Medical Center, Panama City Beach, from an accidental fall.

He was born September 14, 1934, in Cameron, W.Va., a son of the late Murray Wood McCracken and Shirley McCardle McCracken Bongiorni.

Mr. McCracken graduated from Washington High School in 1953. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran with the First Cam Squadron and recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal.

He relocated to Panama City Beach in 1981, where he retired from Panama City Beach Public Works.

Surviving are sons Mark Murray of Indiana, Pa., and Kevin James McCracken of Florida; three grandchildren; a brother, Bill (Joyce) McCracken of Washington and a sister, Mary Ann Bongiorni (Jim) Gerard of Bethel Park.

Deceased, in addition to his parents, are his first wife and mother of his children, “Toots” Fanase, and stepfather James Bongiorni.

Family and friends are welcome to attend a memorial service in celebration of his life at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 14, with the Rev. Roger Raymond Fischer officiating in Washington Cemetery Chapel, 498 Park Avenue, Washington. Inurnment will follow in Washington Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Legacy Cremation Services of Panama City.