Norman R. McCracken

   Norman R. McCracken, Sr., 88, of Parsons, passed away at 9:58 a.m., Saturday, April 30, 2022, at Labette Health.

            He was born on August 15, 1933, to Mack and Plummer Lee (Childress) McCracken in Purdy, Missouri.  He grew up and attended school in Purdy.  In the 1960’s, he moved to DeSoto, Kansas, where he worked at the Sunflower Ammunition Plant.  He later moved to Monett, Missouri, where he worked at the Tyson Plant until retiring for health reasons.

            In earlier years, Norman attended the Methodist church in Edgerton, Kansas.  He enjoyed gardening, fishing, camping and boating.  One of his favorite interests was motorcycles, and he proudly owned an Indian motorcycle.

            For 17 years, Norman and Nellie B. Clark were married and later divorced.  He and Velda Williamson were united in marriage.  She preceded him in death on September 15, 2012.

            Survivors include:

            Four sons – Norman McCracken, Jr., of Parsons, Kansas

            Donald McCracken of Parsons, Kansas

            Steve McCracken of DeSoto, Kansas

            Ed McCracken of Pittsburg, Kansas

            Two daughters – Nelda Bass of Pittsburg, Kansas

            Norma Coleman of Parsons, Kansas

            One step-daughter – Hellen Albretton of Coos Bay, Oregon

            Twenty grandchildren

            Several step-grandchildren

            Numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren

            One brother – Willard McCracken of Wellsville, Kansas

            One sister – Lily Davis of Lawrence, Kansas

            He was preceded in death by his wife, Velda; two sons, Billy McCracken and Gary Wayne McCracken; one daughter, Helen LeElla McCracken; two grandchildren; two step-children, Raymond Melton and Rose Crissman; and two sisters, Hazel Davis and Wilma Shockley.

            The family will receive friends from 6 – 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons.  The family will receive friends from noon to 1:00 p.m., Friday, May 6, at Wilson Funeral Home in Wellsville, Kansas.  Burial will immediately follow at the Edgerton Cemetery in Edgerton, Kansas.

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