Joe McCrea's Obituary
Joe McCrea went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, November 26, 2020. He was born in Muskegon on January 8, 1929 to Roy and Victorine (St. Charles) McCrea. He had one brother, Dewitt who preceded him in death. His legal name is Roy Jr. and he acquired Joe as an alias at an early age.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953 during the Korean conflict, as a draftsman.
He graduated from Muskegon Heights High School, attended Muskegon Community College and Akron University. He then married Kathryn Hackstock on October 19, 1957 in Grand Haven at First Presbyterian Church.
In 1963 he founded Great Lakes Design, Inc. with facilities in Grand Haven and Grand Rapids. The business involved tooling design for production machinery for many manufacturers including, GM, Ford, Teledyne, Steelcase, Haworth and many others. The business was sold in 1995.
As a member of First Presbyterian Church he served as a Junior High Fellowship leader, Sunday School teacher, deacon and elder. He served as a Director for The American Cancer Society, International Aide, Junior Achievement, Meals on Wheels and served the City of Grand Haven on the planning commission, zoning board of appeals and the airport board. Joe was a past member of the Grand Haven Rotary for 32 years, past Exalted Ruler & life member of B.P.OE. 1200 and a proud member of the Stag Club.
His favorite pastimes were golf, tennis, spending time with friends, including the coffee club, working out at the YMCA, playing euchre, emailing the funniest humor, travel and spending time with his family out west.
Joe and Kay raised two sons, Gregory (Debra) of Mesa, AZ, and Mark of San Diego, CA. He was also blessed with three granddaughters: Zoe McCrea of San Diego, CA, Megan (Guirell) of Phoenix, AZ and Michelle (Kuzdas) of Flagstaff, AZ.
A visitation will be held 4-7 PM Thursday December 3, 2020 at The VanZantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral home, 620 Washington Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417. COVID 19 restrictions and masks will be required. A graveside service will take place 1:00 PM Friday December 4, 2020 at Lakeshore Cemetery. Memorial contributions in memory of Joe may be given to First Presbyterian Church of Grand Haven. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at http://www.sytsemafh.com.
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