Kenneth Allen McCrady Sr. was born in Forreston, Texas, on Sept. 28, 1930. He went to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 11, 2015, at his home in Ennis, Texas. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, William James and Willie Ann Hudson McCrady, Keith Sidney and his loving wife, Ora Bell Lumpkins Johnston; as well as his loving father and mother, William Hollis and Frances Isabel Johnston McCrady; and a son-in-law, Jimmie Franklin Dean II.
Kenneth is survived by his devoted and caring wife of fifteen years, Carol Bouldin McCrady; brother and wife Drs. William B. and Ellen McCrady; his first wife, Sherrie Isom McCrady; children, Kenneth Allen McCrady Jr., Kim McCrady Dean, Drs. Kay Lynn McCrady Hastings and Jim Hastings; former daughters-in-law Sherry Cepak and husband Jerry, Karen Harris and husband Les.
Kenneth’s life was richly blessed with seven grandchildren: Kerry Holifield and husband Paul, Korey McCrady, Kolby McCrady and wife Brittany, Mary Beth Dean, Kimberleigh Dean, Hannah Dean, and Madison Hastings; twelve great-grandchildren: Kevin Fritzsche, Abigail Fritzsche, Matthew Holifield, Clay Holifield, Cory Holifield, Nick Holifield, Kaycee McCrady, Kaleb McCrady, Kody McCrady, Merik, Gabbi, and Teagan Kretzmeier.
Mr. McCrady’s extended family included three nephews: Dr. Mike McCrady and wife Anne, Dr. Bob McCrady and wife Julie, and Tom McCrady; one niece, Laurel Palmer and husband Lynn; and a host of great nieces, nephews and cousins.
In the early years, Kenneth played basketball for Forreston High School and his team won the district championship in 1948. At the age of seventeen, immediately following his high school graduation, he joined the United States Navy, serving three years on a tanker during the Korean War. He never spoke much about his time in the service; however, he enjoyed telling the story of how after his years in the service he returned home and began working at the cotton gin. One day, Doyle Winters came by and said, “Hey, Ken let’s go to college!” Ken said, “Where are we going to go?” and Doyle said, “North Texas,” and Ken said, “What are we going to study?” and Doyle said, “Accounting.” “How are we going to pay for it?” “The GI bill,” and that is what they did.
He was always grateful for having that opportunity. Ken graduated with high honors from North Texas State College on June 1, 1956, with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. His granddaughter, Kimberleigh, who is a student at UNT this year, was excited to hear that his name is listed on a plaque in the College of Business Administration for his service on the board. His education was very important to him and proved instrumental in facilitating his very successful business career.
In 1956, Kenneth became a CPA and later became a partner for Peat, Marwick Mitchell and Company where he worked until 1970 when, at the age of 40, he was recruited by Ennis Business Forms. He began his career with EBF as the Vice President of Finance, and later that same year was elevated to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer. In addition to working for Ennis Business Forms, Kenneth had the distinction of serving on the Board of Directors of many companies such as Main Bank, Red Oak Bank, and W.R. Holdings. From 1983-1986, under the appointment of Governor Bill Clements, he served on the Super Collider Advisory Board.
As a distinguished businessman, Mr. McCrady was honored to be featured twice in articles and the front page of Forbes Magazine. The headline in the May 23, 1983, edition of Forbes, was entitled “Return of the Native” where it described how as a young man he left his small town Forreston roots, went to work in the “big city” of Dallas for a while and then returned to Ennis, Texas, to be a highly regarded and successful businessman for many years. The author of the article described Kenneth quite accurately as a “mustached, tobacco-chewing Texan.” In the second article in Forbes dated November 27, 1989, the author said that when Kenneth McCrady was hired by Ennis Business Forms in 1970 and for all of his tenure, he ran the company with “ultraconservatism” with no debt and lots of cash.
After achieving his education, and spending many years as a successful and well-respected businessman, Kenneth transitioned to his 800-acre ranch in Mount Calm, Texas, where he enjoyed the retirement he had earned. One of his greatest pleasures was working his ranch, raising Beef Master cattle, hunting, fishing and reading lots of books. Kenneth differed from the other ranchers in one way; he always had a Wall Street Journal nearby. In the past four years, Kenneth returned to his home in Ennis, Texas, to enjoy spending his days with his wife Carol, where he received excellent care assistance from Funtesia Smith and Elizabeth Bowles. Nevertheless, the ranch continued under the watchful eye of his wonderful ranch manager, Willie Rittenbaugh and wife Jeri.
Kenneth died peacefully at his home in Ennis, Texas, on Thursday, June 11, 2015, at 10:35 in the evening, surrounded by his family and thus fulfilling his greatest wish.
Kenneth McCrady was a loving husband, devoted father, well-respected, hard working businessman, and loyal and caring friend. Kenneth’s wife will cherish her memories of him and their love for each other. His children will hold dear their memories of him as a wonderful, caring father and an excellent provider who always wanted them to be happy. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren will remember their grandfather with love. As a businessman his associates will most likely remember him with respect.
Kenneth McCrady Sr lived on this earth almost eighty-five years and at the time of his death, he had certainty in his heart that he would spend eternity in heaven with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He would not want those of us who loved him and who are left behind to be sad, but rather to live life to the fullest as he did and to cherish the time spent with family and friends secure in the knowledge that they will be reunited with him in eternity. No greater joy exists than knowing that Kenneth Allen McCrady Sr. is now safe in the arms of Jesus.
The viewing for Mr. McCrady will be held Sunday, June 14, from 4 to 6 p.m. and the funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Monday, June 15, at the Wayne Boze Funeral Home, 1826 West Hwy 287 Business, Waxahachie, TX 75165, 972-923-2700.
