Obituary for James McCreery

James M McCreery Jr., 79, of Westerville, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on June 23, 2023. He was born June 17, 1944, in Gnadenhutten, Ohio, to James M. and Pearl McCreery who have preceded him in death. 

He was an extraordinary husband, father, grandfather, and friend and will be missed greatly.  He is survived by his wife, the love of his life, of 57 years, Ruthann McCreery, his daughter, Courtney McCreery, his son, James M. McCreery III (Daughter- in-law, Stacey), and their two children, his beloved grandchildren, James M. McCreery IV and Morgan O. McCreery.  He is also survived by his sister, Janet Brady (the late Patrick), his brother-in-law, Jim Johnson (Betsy), and his nieces and nephews, Leslee (Jim), Sheri, Ann, Beth (Adam), Jimmy, Carson, Jared, Mason, and Isabella.

After graduating from Gnadenhutten High School in 1962, where he excelled in academics, Baseball, and Basketball, he attended Ashland University for 2 years studying Chemical Engineering and then voluntarily enlisted in the United States Marine Corps

While in the Marines, he received the highest qualification level of Marksmanship (Expert), the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and two Good Conduct medals.  Upon completing his tour of duty in Vietnam, he returned to school at Franklin University, where he graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering.  On April 2, 1966, he married his high school sweetheart, Ruthann Johnson and they settled in Westerville, Ohio, in 1972.

He began his career at Western Electric in 1972 and retired from there after 32 years as a Senior Engineer.  After his retirement, he continued to work in Computer Software Design on a contract basis for 10 years.  He and his wife enjoyed their Sea Ray cabin cruiser and spent many summers on Alum Creek lake with family and friends.  He loved watching his two grandchildren playing the sports that they enjoyed and he and Ruthann hardly ever missed a game throughout the years.  He loved to make his family laugh.  Family, friends, and neighbors alike knew that he would jump in and lend a hand whenever needed and was an excellent handy man.  He had a great love for cars, like his parents before him, and he and Ruthann had several roadsters throughout the years.  They loved to take long drives together with the top down. They had a fun-filled, loving life together.

Jim loved his family, extended family, friends, and neighbors with all his heart and will be deeply missed by everyone he touched.

A visitation and service will be held at Hill Funeral Home in Westerville on Thursday, July 13^th from 2:00 to 4:00. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Childrens Research Hospital, his favorite charity, at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.stjude.org.