Max Kenneth McCreary

Max Kenneth McCreary departed this life on Sunday, August 12, 2018 at Journey Home, Bartlesville. He was 83 years old. Max was the youngest child of S. Frank and Helen (Francisco) McCreary, born September 30, 1934 in Oak Valley, Kansas. His family moved to Elk Falls, Kansas where Max attended and graduated from Elk Falls High School. He graduated from Independence (Ks) Community College and in 1957 he enlisted in the United States Air Force where is served for 8 years. Max and Dolores Wall were united in marriage on June 6, 1959 and recently celebrated the special blessing of 59 years of companionship and life together. Following his honorable discharge from the USAF, Max accepted employment with Phillips Petroleum Company in July 1965 and Max and Dolores moved to Bartlesville. Max began his career with Phillips in the E & P Department and the last several years he worked at the Research Center as a computer technician until his retirement in February, 1996. Max is survived by his wife, Dolores; his daughters and their husbands – Allison and Scott Williams, Lou Ann and Ian Mitchell; grandchildren Ryan Williams, Jessica Williams, Maxwell Mitchell, Grace Mitchell, Sarah Evan Mitchell, Keaton Mitchell, and great-grandson Jacob Williams. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and a host of very special friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Marion McCreary, sisters Thelma Howell and Marie Kirkpatrick, and a grandson Jeremy Williams. Max is remembered as a kind, gentle and generous man who could tell some very funny jokes, many he made up. He was a faithful member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church where he served as an usher, a member of the vestry and assisted with the youth mission trips. He loved gardening, rock collecting, and the many and various pets that shared life with his family. Max is also remembered for the many sets he both designed and built for a variety of stage productions at St. Luke’s and for community theater productions. The bigger the challenge the more he enjoyed it – from building a whale that turned around to become a boat (from PVC pipe) to a carousel that was used in a Theater Guild production of the musical “Carousel”. A celebration of life Eucharist with special intention for thanksgiving of Max’s life will be Saturday, August 25 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 210 E. 9th, Bartlesville, 74003. Although flowers are a thoughtful gift of remembrance, the family suggests that a more appropriate memorial gift honoring Max’s servanthood spirit would be a contribution to either St. Luke’s Episcopal Church’s Outreach Ministry, or to Journey Home, 900 NE Washington Blvd, Bartlesville, 74006 where Max was cared for lovingly and compassionately in his final days.

Max Kenneth McCreary

September 30, 1934 - August 12, 2018