Dr. Elbert Allen McCracken

On April 24, 2014, 94 years to the day that Dr. Elbert Allen McCracken was born, he passed away at his Springdale home with his loving wife, Jean McCracken, at his side. He is preceded in death by his parents, Eva and Herman McCracken; and one brother, Harry McCracken. He is survived by his loving wife, Jean Jenkins McCracken; his son, Elbert Allen McCracken Jr. of Montana; his daughter, Mary Sue McCracken Mistric of Little Rock; sister-in-law, Virginia McCracken of Clarksville; and nephew, Charles McCracken of Harrison. Dr. McCracken has been blessed with three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Dr. McCracken was born in Ozone, Ark. He attended the College of the Ozarks receiving a degree in Chemistry. Later he returned to school at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences to earn his MD. Dr. McCracken spent his career advocating and caring for his patients, always with the belief that everyone deserved good medical care. He started his medical practice in Cotton Plant, Ark., and later moved to Stuttgart to open a family practice clinic. His proudest accomplishment as a doctor is delivering 4,000 babies without losing a mother or child. After leaving private practice, he worked as an emergency room physician. He ended his time as a physician in Clarksville, Ark., at the Johnson Regional Medical Center. Dr. McCracken had a full life, living each moment to its fullest, never turning down an opportunity to learn something new. In his lifetime, he was a boxer, a pilot, a teacher, a chemist, and a physician. He had a love of learning and exploring and spent a lifetime seeking new knowledge and experiences. He loved to spend time outdoors hunting and fishing. He traveled to Africa, Alaska and remote parts of the United States to hunt wild game. He also traveled extensively throughout the United States and the world with his wife, Jean. Dr. McCracken served in the United States Navy and served as the commander of the Arkansas National Guard medical detachment, retiring with the rank of Colonel. He was a member of Eastern Star and 32nd Degree Masons. Visitation will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 29, 2014, at Turpin Funeral Home, 1107 W. 22nd Street, Stuttgart, Ark. Funeral services will follow at 11:30 a.m. at Turpin Funeral Home with Pastor Jackie Marshall officiating. Burial will follow at William's Cemetery near Humphrey, Ark. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Rd., Springdale, Ark. 72762 or Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock. Please go to www.turpinco.com to sign the online guestbook.