Charles Edward McCrea

Charles Edward McCrea

3 August 1934 – 2 November 2020

Charles was known as Charles, Chuck, and Mac to his family and friends. He was born in Brinkley, AR and passed away in Rio Rancho, NM after a long and courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis Edward McCrea (1977) and Elyse Stokes McCrea (1996); his son, Mark Louis McCrea (2005); his brother, James henry McCrea (2012) and his niece, Amy McCrea (1997).

Chuck is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 39 years, Gina Vigil McCrea; his daughter, Pamela McCrea Gross and husband, Stephen Gross of Southaven, MS; his son, Charles Edward McCrea, Jr. and partner, Lisa Vsetecka of Peyton, CO; his son, Albert Lerma and his wife, Karen Lerma of Albuquerque, NM; his brother, Larry Joe McCrea and his wife, Kozue McCrea of Honolulu, HI; his nephew, Aaron Edward McCrea of Albuquerque, NM; 10 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; other family members and many friends.

Chuck began working as a very young man at the age of 12. His first job was a delivery paperboy for the Arkansas Gazette. He would wake up early to delivery papers and collect the fees weekly. On Sundays, his father, Louis Edward McCrea, would help him since the paper was much larger. His next job was again a delivery boy for a local pharmacy delivering prescriptions. He was later promoted to soda jerk at the fountain. He worked for Sherwin-Williams stocking shelves and keeping inventory. Next job was a brake specialist for Harley-Davidson motorcycles at a local business in Little Rock, AR.

In 1954, Chuck joined the United States Air Force; earned the rank of Senior Master Sergeant, and retired after 26 1/2 years of service. He was stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base when he retired in 1980. His military career was in communications which took him to Hawaii, Germany, Greenland, Thailand, and several bases in the U.S. He also was an Air Force recruiter in Memphis, TN for four years. As a civilian he worked as Communications Director for Martin Marietta Denver Aerospace for 4 years and an additional 15 years in computer security as a civilian employee for the US Air Force until he retired in November 2000.

Chuck's passion was being in his workshop working with wood. He made many projects including a bench, a sled and kitchen ensemble for his granddaughter Faith Lerma. He had several different saws and lots of oak wood, his favorite.

After retirement, he began RVing with his wife and friends, he joined the Siglo De Oro RV Club where the travels included many places within New Mexico and several throughout the US, including Canada and Mexico. Many friends were made along the way and the friendships remained until his death.

In 1992, Chuck and Gina had their dream log cabin built at Quemado Lake Estates. Many vacations and holidays were spent there. During retirement, the summers were spent there to get away from city life. Many friendships were also made while being there. It was a close-knit community with a club house where everyone met on Friday evenings for happy hour and potluck dinners. During the week, many activities were held, some were for men and some for women.

He will be greatly missed by his wife and family.

Funeral Services are private. The family would like you to view the service which will be live streamed and available for viewing by clicking on the link below on Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.