John Henry McCree was born on December 11, 1928, in Gadsden, Alabama to the late, Daisy and John McCree. John was the eldest of three children.
On May 10, 1969, he married Dorothy and was a loving and dedicated husband. John was a construction worker and retired in 1992 from the Laborer’s Local Union #894 with thirty years of dedicated service. He also continued to work after retirement until his health failed in 2017.
John was a faithful member of Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church serving in many capacities such as Trustee, Senior Usher, Junior Usher Supervisor, Male Chorus Choir member and hospitality ministry. John was also a member of the Ed Davis Senior Club and ICUA Usher Association which he loved.
According to Dorothy, John would drill, drill, drill breakfast, lunch, and dinner. He and Dorothy enjoyed traveling throughout the United States to visit family members when they could and going out for dinner.
John, affectionately known to many as “Dad”, “Papa” and “Uncle John Henry,” loved spending time with all his family and close friends – he would comment, “I really enjoyed myself,” when returning home. Upon speaking with him, he usually had a story or joke to share that would make you laugh. John will be truly missed by those who knew and loved him.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Daisy and John McCree; sister, Velma; stepmothers, Martha Washington and Charlotte McCree; stepsisters, Betty Armstead and Marian Woods; and granddaughter, Nakia Phillips-Shabazz.
John is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 52 years, Dorothy; daughters, Shauna (Shannon) Alexander of Akron, Deborah of Los Angeles, CA and Lynette McCraney of Akron; sons, Dale (Janet) McCree of Carson, CA, Rodney (Megan) McCraney and Karl (Angie) Powers of Akron; stepdaughters, Marilyn Williams, Carita Williams and Glenda Griffin of Akron, OH; sister, Thelma Turner of Gadsden, AL; stepsisters, Yvonne Cowans and Linda Curry both of Akron, OH; sisters-in-law, Lavinnie Miller and Joan Jones both of Akron, OH; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of family and friends.