Robert Francis Mccready

Robert Francis McCready Darlington/Florence - Robert Francis McCready, Sr. also known as Mac, Bob, Daddy, Granddad, and Papa-san died surrounded by family in the McLeod Hospice House on March 25, 2016, his 86th birthday and Good Friday. McCready always liked getting older, and it was fitting that he completed another turn around the sun and gained another year before leaving. "I'm going to make it to a hundred," he joked, whenever he talked about his mortality. Other times, he would say, "I'm living on borrowed time." He met every birthday with surprise and gratitude. More than getting older, McCready enjoyed his time as an infantryman in the U.S. Army and Air Force. He said, "I loved the service," thinking about being stationed around the country and overseas, fighting at the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge in Korea and making two tours of Vietnam. Overall, he served his country for over twenty years, earning numerous medals. "I've been all over the world," he said. "I know people in every country." But his favorites were his family. McCready believed that charity starts at home. In retirement, one of his favorite pastimes was to go visiting, announcing his arrival with his characteristically slow, three knocks. After McCready gave-up driving, he liked to receive visitors. He offered Coca-Cola, coffee, or Boost. The Waltons often played on his kitchen TV set. He said, "Wouldn't it be nice if the whole family could live together in one house [like the Waltons]?" He got his wish, moving in with family during his final months. McCready kept his senses his whole life, and he often used his quick wit to offer wisdom and commentary on every day life. On storms in the southeast: "All tornadoes leave behind is heartache and new land to build a house on." On the first day of national poetry month: "There goes a man and wife/he looks like a straw/and she looks like a blimp." On the state of the country-we better not say. McCready said to never talk about politics, religion, or nationality. Let's just say that he wanted to make America great again. He was born March 25, 1930 in Allegheny County, PA. McCready was the son of the late Mary Melissa Elliott and Edwin Leroy McCready, and was the last remaining of twelve children. Surviving are his two daughters, Debra Anne (Steven) Rath and Cheryl Lynne McCready, both of Florence; his son, Robert Francis McCready, Jr; his grandchildren, Christina (Michael Bonocora) McCready, Robert E. McCready, Candace Rath, and many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at Parkwood Presbyterian Church, 2307 Cascade Ave Florence, SC 29505. Services will follow at 3:00. Memorials may be made to Veterans of Foreign Wars at www.vfw.org; or to Parkwood Presbyterian Church.

Visitation

APR 2. 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Parkwood Presbyterian 2307 Cascade Ave Florence, SC, 29505

Service

APR 2. 3:00 PM

Parkwood Presbyterian 2307 Cascade Ave Florence, SC, 29505