Dr.Richard Dean McCrary

Born in Brownwood, TX. on September 25, 1943, Richard McCrary left this world on January 14, 2012. He survived his parents, Lester Jewel and Edith Balentine McCrary and his long-term partner Frank Eugene
Barnes. In turn, he was survived by his devoted son Christopher Sean McCrary, his beautiful and bright daughter-in-law Elizabeth Abbott McCrary and two wonderful grandsons, Christopher Caleb and Connor Abbott McCrary who enriched his life immensely. In the last months of his life he was comforted by his friendship with Dennis Wilson. He was also overwhelmed by the gracious support from the Episcopal Church of Saint Thomas the Apostle and September Services. He was survived by his brother and sister-in-law Don and Connie McCrary as well as his loving sister and brother-in-law Charlotte and James Pickard. In addition, he was also survived by a large number of friends"many of whom freely gave him support during his illness. A popular administrator within the Dallas County Community College District, Dr. McCrary had also been employed at Carthage College (Wisconsin), Troy University (Alabama), and the University of Maryland. He received his undergraduate and master’s degree from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M-Commerce), an advanced degree from the University of Illinois and studied at The Ohio State University and University of Alabama prior to completing his doctorate from Nova Southern University. He spent the majority of his career serving in various administrative positions for the Dallas Community College District. At various times he served as vice president of Richland, Cedar Valley, Mountain View and Brookhaven Colleges. He was often known as the "utility player" of the DCCCD as he was often named to interim positions. His last career move was to serve three years as the Interim President at Brookhaven College after serving as the Interim Vice Chancellor of Educational Affairs. He was passionate about the students he served and was particularly interested in international education. He served one semester in Rome, Italy, leading over 55 students in studying the culture of that country. Later he served as the Director of Student Life aboard the S.S. Universe as it circled the globe with over 500 students enrolled through the University of Pittsburg. He was often requested to serve on dissertation committees as an external member by faculty/administrators seeking their doctoral degrees while acting as a mentor, either officially or unofficially, to developing faculty/administrators. Because this is a role he often gladly played, he will be remembered fondly by many. At the time of his retirement, the Brookhaven Courier, the student newspaper, wrote an article about his career. Known for his quick wit and sense of humor, Dr. McCrary was a member of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Rotary Club and served on the board of directors of both the Metroplex Chamber Of Commerce and the Farmers Branch Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he also served on a number of Committees under the auspices of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Dr. McCrary loved to travel and was fortunate enough to have traveled to over 40 countries and, as a result, established friendships throughout the world. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the McCrary International Scholarship Fund held by the Dallas County Community College Foundation.
Memorial Service scheduled for Thursday, February 2 at 3:30PM. Brookhaven Community College 3939 Valley View Lane, Dallas, Texas 75244