Maj. James N. McCraner, USMC (Ret.), 88

Born: Sept. 16, 1924

Died: March 16, 2013

James N. McCraner, 88, of Yucca Valley, Calif., formerly of Dowagiac, lost his final war at home on Saturday, March 16, 2013, following an extended illness.

James was born in Dowagiac on Sept. 16, 1924, to Anna Rachael and James Henry McCraner.

He graduated from Dowagiac High School in 1942.

After graduation, Jim and his best friend, Bob Felthouse, decided to join the military.

He joined the Marine Corps in 1943.

After two years, he left the military and returned to Dowagiac, where he married and became a father of two sons.

Due to lack of work opportunities, Jim re-enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1948.

Jim served in three wars, World War II, Korea and Vietnam, was commissioned in 1957 and retired as a major in 1973, making the Marine Corps his lifelong career.

While stationed at 29 Palms Marine Corps Base in California, Jim met his second wife, Lorraine, and her 8-year-old daughter.

Jim was preceded in death by: his wife, Lorraine; a son, James Michael; and his sisters, Frances Burdick and Alice Uebler.

He is survived by: his son, William K. McCraner; his daughter, Lynette Hunter; a niece; nephews; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and many friends. He will be greatly missed by all.